This painting is in honor of my Mom, Carole Anne Applegate, who passed away recently. She was my #1 fan. Though she was raised a city girl, taking the bus to her secretarial job, knowing the best way to walk from one department store to another even in the depths of winter (skybridges!), she moved to the country when that man she met in the church choir—her lifetime love, my Father—built a family home in the Kentucky hills. She took to the countryside with great enthusiasm. She planted fruit trees, flowers, and vegetables. She taught me Heart and Soul on the piano (the only song she knew how to play). She taught me to sew. She taught me to compliment the bride and congratulate the groom. She wrapped gifts—so many gifts—to perfection. She signed me up for piano lessons, and when I spent less time practicing and more time coloring in the pictures of my music book, she paid for my private art lessons. And in those moments in life when I crashed and burned, she was the first to come to my side and say, “Let’s go shopping.”
I don’t have enough words to say how much my Mom means to me. I’ll always be her First Born and she will always be my #1 fan.
Many of you know Sharie (my sister and assistant!), my Mom’s Baby Girl. She has been the brains behind this site since the beginning. I am so grateful that she was with our Mom during her illness, bringing her selfless ability to do the late-night research and make the tough decisions, all while offering comfort and grace to see our Mom through her final days.
I have a few paintings in my studio that I’m putting on offer. My Mom loved so many things, but that woman really loved a sale. So for her, I’ll auction these at a discounted rate. I think it’d make her happy.
