I used to be that girl who would never create attachments.
I’d buy things that were of no value to me, only to let them sit in my closet, discard them or give them away months later.  But over the last few years I’ve become so much better in cherishing the things that I possess. 
Which brings me to this lovely painting of Prince. 

I ‘m definitely attached.
I stare at it every morning. 
I can not remember exactly where I was a year ago when I learned that Prince had passed away but I do remember wondering why we lose the greats so soon. He had so much more life to live, and so much more music to create. 
The painting itself holds some sentimental value to me. 
It’s odd how life happens. The signs we get when we aren’t feeling well or okay.
That particular day, I had been thinking about my mom a lot, and feeling robbed of the opportunity to have an adult relationship with her. She died when I was in college and coming into my own as a woman.
I was 23. She was 41. She was young enough that we had a sister-girl relationship going throughout my middle school and high school years. My memories of her include laying in bed during my school breaks and watching her favorite shows. Her infectious laugh. She was well-loved and popular in the small town we were from.  I used to always tell her I was going to run off to California, make it big and we would have a huge house out there. I talked about Cali to her so much that the day she died, as Hospice was removing her body from the house, on the way out the door, the nurse turned to me and said “You make sure you make it to California.”
I cried.
I find myself wondering what our relationship would have been like at this point in my life. I think of her when I take trips, and see another woman laughing and having a great time with her mom. That’s what I envisioned our relationship would have been like. Regular phone conversations about love, life and career over cocktails.  I’d show her the world and she would be my best friend.
The void of losing a mother can never be filled.
I don’t know exactly how I came across Michael Petty’s painting of Prince, but it was the words of Purple Rain scribbled across the top that made me instantly purchase. 
I never meant to cause you any sorrow
I never meant to cause you any pain
I only wanted to one time to see you laughing
I only wanted to see you
Laughing in the purple rain
In that very moment, I felt those words and I felt as though my mom was telling me, “You are going to be okay. Everything is going to be alright.”
On a lighter note, because lord knows I don’t want to make this post about this wonderful painting sad…
I remember when the painting arrived, and I was at the UPS store retrieving my mail. When I opened it everyone in the store gasped at how beautiful it was.
The artist, who is based out of Virginia threw a few of his business cards in there, so I ran home and looked him up on Instagram.  He doesn’t update his social media very much but I was thrilled that he kind of journeyed the process of making this particular painting.
It was inspired by this photo:

And here’s the painting before he decided to add words

First line of Purple Rain being added:

I’m not sure how he added this effect to the white letters but I’m into it:

Final design:

I adore this painting so much and find myself admiring it daily.  Michael did such an awesome job on it. I can’t remember how much I purchased it for, but I know the price was very reasonable (because the way my budget is set up….)
LOL!
You can see more of Michael Petty’s artwork on his Instagram or his website MICHAEL PETTY ART

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