Mother's Song by Mark R. Pugh

This is a painting about two things I’ve lost, which have had a dramatic impact on my life. When I was young my mother passed away. The things she taught me and her example have had a huge affect on me. She passed her love of music and art onto me, and they became among the most important aspects of my life growing up.  While I have always loved to draw, writing and listening to music helped me through many difficult and emotional times. Around the time I was seriously beginning my career as an artist, I suddenly and inexplicably lost most of my hearing. As a result, it has been very difficult for me to listen to and write music. However, I now channel that emotional energy into my paintings, treating each new work as a song. Art has become my music and my paintings are my songs.