Gratitude
Someone recently asked “why” I feel passionate about creating notecards, prints etc, from my original watercolors. I replied: “Hand written notes for any occasion are a gift, in of themselves. Making art, especially a commissioned piece is an honor. To capture someone’s idea of the feelings they want sensed within the painting is a huge honor. Making art as a show of appreciation, is how this all began”.
Grace and gratitude are values we hold dear. Our son (now 22) was born with a genetic disorder called Fragile X syndrome and autism. You can learn more at fragilex.org
When the first specialist came to our house to work with our son at a young age, it was clear that they were a person with a beautiful soul. To have someone come to our home; work with us once a week on ways to make our son’s life easier and our lives easier…..meant the world.
During the lockdown period of Covid, I was able to revisit watercolor.
Making original watercolors, thank you notes and prints has become a small business and a way to balance life’s needs.
We have had to be creative in our thank you gifts to the professionals who help us. We have shared bags of locally roasted coffee, homemade granola, all the way to now—packs of notecards or original watercolors based on each of their interests. You learn about the people on your team as you go which helps to choose how to show appreciation.
This school of rainbow fish painting was made into prints that were given to everyone as our son moved out of the school program and into services for adults with disabilities. They all kept us swimming, (above water on very hard days) our son shining brightly, included and loved.
These special people in our lives, show us how grateful they are as well.
They have shared how appreciative they are of our openness. They have gone above and beyond for our family by calling, checking in, visiting, and choosing to work with us, over the years. They learned that we want EVERYONE involved to be comfortable, not only our son, and family.
ABOUT LANIE KANAT:
Lanie Kanat paints in watercolor from her home studio in Jericho, Vermont. She focuses on nature-based paintings and loves the beauty of Vermont and its seasons. Lanie serves on the Board of Directors for the Vermont Family Network and is a Community Leader for the National Fragile X Foundation. Lanie uses her artwork to raise funds for Fragile X and other important causes.
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