“The Toad Has Spoken” is to honor my Mom’s dog, Bucky. While taking Bucky (or as I liked to call him, Bubs) to the vet one day, I was telling my Mom all about this crazy idea I had for a painting. In it, there is a UFO that has crash landed on an unknown and mysterious planet. The alien inside is cautious to leave the safety of his spaceship, but luckily he finds himself in the presence of a mystical toad. Although the alien is confused, apprehensive, and lost he can find peace beside the toad. It is the knowledge that the universe, while vast and chaotic, still contains order and answers for those who seek it which allows him to surrender to it. The space traveler is not sure what will happen to him next, but somehow the sage amphibian gives him comfort.

It was only six months later that we had to put Bubs down… I was heartbroken. It took about a month for me to start on the painting I had been so passionate about before, but I found that through my art, I was able to grieve for Bucky. While I was working I realized that what I had been feeling during those late night trips to the vet–the confusion, the anxiety, being “stuck”–was being expressed in my painting. It was a real “eureka” moment…
This painting is a tribute to a one of a kind dog that brought so much love and joy to our lives. Thank you for everything, Bucky. I will see you later my friend.