On the right is my daughter, Sarah, at age four. For a time, Sarah attended ballet classes.
This was one of those typical parental attempts to get her involved and exposed to new
experiences, and perhaps some culture. You know ... like those piano lessons. She was
quite shy, and ballet was her first exposure to the spotlight. We’ve encouraged her
involvement in a number of on-stage activities. She always does a good job, but doesn’t
thrill at the experience. Oh well ... its Hollywood’s loss. I guess I’ll have to keep painting
for a living.
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With what I hope has been helpful guidance, Sarah, who is now nine, is becoming her
own person. She’s developing those interests that speak to her and is taking pride in her
accomplishments. She’s starting to develop that critical self-respect. I still remember my
first experiences with achievement and recognition. They are so important to the
development of character and confidence. Sarah’s life is very different from mine at age
nine. Her responsibilities, as the sister of a sibling with special needs, compel her to often
be that guiding hand. She carries that obligation gracefully and well. I’m so proud of her.
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For me, this painting is about guidance. Its a daunting prospect to be responsible for the
development of another person. The obligation to get it all right is a heavy one. It’s a
responsibility you prepare for and accept from the moment you learn that you are to be
a father. My children now live separately from me. It’s an uncomfortable experience to be
compelled to guide them, but to not be present for much of their lives. You can’t just
turn it off, and that compulsion seeps into my work. I’ve learned that, among other
influences, my paintings are moments when I was there to guide and protect.
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I think that letting go is something every parent goes through, and I doubt that anyone
is ever prepared for it, no matter when or how it comes.
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Mark Heine