ArtSites Updates

This week, I received the following truly touching story from our artist, Malcolm Armstrong!

What I love about this story is that it's stories like these that make your artwork come to life, especially when viewing it online!

So, instead of just describing your artwork by size, colour, etc., think about a story that will give it life and make the reader fall in LOVE with it! :-D

Here's Malcolm's story, as told by Malcolm ...

I often get inspirations for a painting from true stories that I read. In the early 1900s a British sailing ship (Dalgonar) in very heavy weather off the west coast of South America was in danger of sinking because ballast shifted in the hold and the ship developed a huge list which could not be corrected. It was impossible to move the ballast and the ship became unmanageable. There was no radio communication between ships in those days but Dalgonar sent up rocket flares in the hope of being spotted.

A large four masted French barque (Loire) was in the vicinity, saw the flares and sailed towards the stricken ship. The sea conditions were far too rough for the launching of a boat, but the French barque stayed in sight of Dalgonar for four days until conditions improved sufficiently to send a boat across to rescue the crew of the British ship. This was an amazing feat of seamanship and a wonderful example of the tradition of the sea to help other mariners who are in distress.

Throughout this event, Loire flew the International Code two flag signal "AI" which meant "I will not abandon you". Of course, I gave my painting the title "I Will Not Abandon You".

The two flag signal flown by Dalgonar is "NC" which means "I am in distress and need assistance". Being a seaman myself, I have always been touched by this story and I have painted the event three times; always slightly differently, of course, because the relative positions of the two ships.

I recently sold the third one of these paintings to a couple who have become friends over recent years because they have other paintings of mine. A few days after I delivered the painting to a home in Mount Vernon, the wife suffered a serious stroke. I am pleased to say that she is recovering but I want to quote an excerpt from a letter the husband sent to me a few days ago; it brought tears to my eyes:

I do want to mention your painting "I will not abandon you". When you paint as you do, you paint a picture that is really a story or emotion or possibly a feeling - it is this feeling that touches people that is sent out to the world. You send this picture out into the world but do not know what impact it will have on the person seeing it. In this painting, I see hope, love and faith. It is an inspiration and a true reason for faith. It has also been a symbol of my wife's recovery for both her and me. This painting is a true companion in this time. I also talk to my wife about this painting and the meaning that is in it. I can tell you that it has been a true companion in this time of trouble. Thank you for painting this wonderful painting as it has helped both of us get through this time."

Many, many thanks, Malcolm, for sharing this truly inspired and touching story with all of us! :-)