We are born into families and have little choice as to parents or siblings. There’s a common understanding that the typical bonds between
family members will exist and unite family in a bond of some kind ... hopefully in friendship and support. That’s the general idea, if not always the reality.
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Fortunately, my parents nurtured our family unit and I was raised to be close. There are so many memories of Christmases, games nights and family dinners.
My father was never happier than when we were all altogether.
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This painting is my youngest daughter Sarah, now age 10, and my partner, Lisa. They’re busy preparing the circle for a family picnic by Elk Lake,
near Victoria, BC. It’s early fall of 2008. Joining us are the elders of the clan ... Grandma and Great Auntie Pat. I and my older daughter, Charlotte, round
out the “tribe”.
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Conceptually, there are two separate canvases that are not meant to stand alone. They are individual units, but they come together to form the complete
statement. As a blended family, we have come together over the last two  and a half years with great love and respect, relaxing into each other. That's how
we learn that it's safe to lean away ... children with ever-more ambitious steps, partners by embracing their individual passions. Sure of their love, Sarah and
Lisa lean away into what they're doing.
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The memories of summer’s heat still linger in our heads, but the chill in the air is quite real. So we sit alone in the park, engaged in dining “a la bucket,”
as we have done since my childhood. Sarah even manages to coerce me into joining her for a pre-ceremonial dip in the frigid lake.
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This ritual pilgrimage and coming together of the tribe is a right of passage for our family. This is Lisa's first time joining in this particular gathering,
and she takes her place by the council fire of my  people. We share equally in the bounty (except for the wings). Our 
hands anointed by the 12 sacred herbs and spices ...   we become one.    Mark  Heine