As a mother, I know all too well how a parent’s heart just swells with pride when they look at their children. We are delighted and awed by the amazing little people our children are, and I can only imagine how amazing it will be to watch my girls grow up and see their personalities come into full bloom. Doesn’t it blow your mind to realize that your parent or parents love/loved you this much, too??
But today I don’t want to talk about how much I love my kids or how much my parents love me. I want to talk about how proud I am of my father and how much I love him! He’s the hardest working person I have ever known, and has spent decades working as a sheet metal mechanic so that he could provide for his family. That work is back-breaking and it has nearly broken him on several occasions, but he hasn’t stopped for longer than was medically necessary.
I’m so happy to report that he is now retired from that line of work. Unfortunately, his retirement came about due to the plant where he worked closing down. But I honestly believed that job would eventually kill him, so even though the financial stress of not having that job is a reality for him, I can’t help but be happy that he isn’t there any more.
Part of the reason why I’m so thrilled is because he now has more time to pursue a passion of his, which is decoupage. My dad has been doing this type of art for as long as I can remember. I distinctly remember a trunk he created with pictures of his family all over it. I don’t think I was more than 4 or 5 when he made it. He has his own unique style that admittedly, not everyone can appreciate. He calls it “collage-a-page” because it is decoupage but with a collage-type style to it.
If you look closely at any of his pieces, though, you will really be blown away by the stories they tell. So much thought goes into where each image is placed, and there are so many little hidden treasures just waiting to be found. This is what makes dad’s art so special and not just a craft or a hobby.
I am so proud of him, and so proud that thanks to help from my older brother, he now has a Facebook page where he can start to display some of his pieces. He can also take requests for custom designs. And his work is affordable, too, as he says that the process of making these pieces is therapeutic for him, and he considers it part of his payment. 🙂
I want the world to see what unique and fun art my father makes, and I can’t think of a better forum to do that than through Facebook (unless, of course, the Met wants to display his pieces, in which case they should send me an email!). Each Facebook like my father receives fills him with joy. He carefully watches to see where folks who like him are from and it just tickles him to no end when someone he doesn’t personally know “likes” his page.
So let’s give my dad the best two weeks ever. The contest will end on his birthday, and I can’t think of a better gift for him than for his Facebook page to grow!
Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a $20 gift certificate, to your choice of either Amazon or Walmart!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This contest is self-sponsored. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
Kelli Smith says
Folding impressions.
Lily Kwan says
I like the Jungle Reflections piece.
Kim Kihega says
I love the Valentino Rocker!
william says
I really like the Harley Chair
Denise Donaldson says
I love the peacock chair!
Carol says
I like the peacock chair
James Beck says
Safari Glimpses mirror
Joy F says
The peacock chair is interesting.
Hesper Fry says
The Peacock chair is my favorite
Gina H. says
Safari Glimpses mirror
Autumn C. says
The peacock chair is absolutely stunning! WOW!! Love it.
Lorrie Rodgers (pinklady705) says
I like the Rack on the Rock piece.
Jill Myrick says
My favorite is the Harley Chair.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
rebecca shockley says
Rack on the Rock
Maryann says
The Jungle Reflections is my favorite piece
Alfredo Reyes says
Safari Glimpses is an original piece for a bedroom.
Sue Hull says
First I have to say how beautiful your dad’s work is. I love the Peacock Chair & Harley Chair. Thank you for the great giveaway! 🙂
Corey Olomon says
I like the Rack on the Rock.
Cori Westphal says
I absolutely love the Peacock Chair! How unique!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
Kelly McGrew says
valentino rocker!
Janet F says
I like Valentino Rocker.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Darcie K says
I love the Christo Chest
Jackie says
He does beautiful work! I really like the Folding Impressions
cathy henatyszen says
they are all great… but I do like the Christo Chest the most
Jen S says
Great works of art! Favorite is the Folding Impressions.
Aubrey says
I like the valentine rocker
Throuthehaze says
Peacock Chair
fancygrlnancy (Nancy Partin) says
Jungle Reflections
Krystal M says
I like the peacock chair! It’s very pretty!
Christine says
I like the Jungle Reflections.
Thanks for the chance!
Patti Hess says
Really like the Christo Chest
pattifritz2000 at yahoo dot com
thank you
Betsy Barnes says
My favorite piece is the Harley Chair 🙂
Lesley M. says
the peacock chair!
Jennifer Lachman says
I love the Valentino Rocker
Cynthia R says
i like the peacock chair
Sarah Hayes says
I like the peacock chair
Donna Wilson Wharam says
I love all the art!!! You’ve done a wonderful job Uncle Dickey….
I think they are all beautiful pieces.
Karen R says
I like the Christo Chest.
Mindi says
It is all very cool. I like the Christo Chest!
Janice Cooper says
I like the Harley Chair
Nancy pintinalli says
Everything is beautiful but if I have to chose the pea ock chair is my choice
Nancy pintinalli says
It all is beautiful but I like the Peacock chair.
Tonya Extine Hopkins says
Valentino Rocker
Deborah says
My favorite is Jungle Reflections.
ColleenMarie82 says
I really like the Peacock Chair
Wendy O. says
I like the Peacock Chair, and I know numerous people here in Wisconsin who would love that Harley Chair!
Nicole says
The peacock chair!
Rylie origon says
The peacock chair is neat!!
soha molina says
Jungle Reflections
renee says
I’m not entering because I don’t use FB, but just wanted to say WOW! Beautiful stuff!
Sylvia Zajis says
Really like the Valentino Rocker
Vera S says
I like the Christo Chest best. 🙂
Connie Lee says
I like the Jungle Reflections
TawndaM says
I like the Harley Chair best… but they are all awesome!
brandy says
HARLEY CHAIR!
I love this. Happy birthday to your dad!
Barbara Montag says
Favorite – Jungle Reflections.
Thank you.
Les Johnson says
I like the Peacock Chair.
Katie L says
harley chair
Erin L says
I like the Harley Chair!
vickie couturier says
Harley Chair
Sherri says
I like the valentino rocker
Lindsey G says
I like the Harley Chair – neat!
Mary Dailey says
I like the Valentino rocker. He needs to check out Etsy for selling his products, too!
Paula Lee says
LOVE the Christo Chest!
Maria Kiguthi says
I like the Peacock Chair.
Heidi says
I like the Harley Chair
Elena says
I like the Christo Chest
HS says
I like Valentino Rocker
Claudia says
I like the Peacock chair.
Margaret Smith says
Love the Christo Chest
rich morris says
The Harley chair is pretty cool!