A Painting, A Poem, A Shared Goodbye

Hey, hello there, friend!

Every Wednesday, I get to sit down and write to you. It’s my favorite ritual—sharing stories that matter, straight from the heart. Today’s story is one I’ve held close for a while.

A Touching Connection with Art

Last year, while I was in France for an artist residency, I was navigating some of the deepest emotions of my life after the passing of my father. During that time, I received an unexpected email. It was from poet and professor David Caplan. He asked permission to use one of my paintings, Sun Is Shining, for the cover of his new book of poetry.

As soon as I learned more about the project, I felt goosebumps. David's book, North Shore: Poems of Mourning and Remembrance, is a tribute to his own father. This coincidence felt significant. It was like a subtle, serendipitous moment connecting two strangers, both navigating loss through art.

Honoring Shared Loss Through Creativity

I am genuinely honored that Sun Is Shining became the face of this deeply moving collection. I asked David a few questions about our collaboration, and here’s what he shared:

Sun is Shining by Drica Lobo

What drew you to this particular piece, and how do you feel it reflects the themes within your poetry collection?

“I love the vibrancy of the painting’s color. Although the painting depicts a scene on the other side of America, it reminds me of the pier at Fisherman’s Beach in Swampscott, Massachusetts. My parents met at the beach and lived in Swampscott for nearly all their married lives. I grew up in that town. North Shore largely consists of elegies for my father, many set in Boston's North Shore. I didn’t want the cover to be mournful or somber. Rather, I liked how the painting expresses a journey to a colorful horizon through the shady, aged pilings of the pier.”

What was it like to collaborate on this cover design?

“I was delighted by the creative happenstance of how beautifully a painting depicting a different scene captures the spirit of my poems. The mixture of age and vibrant light, water and solidity suggests movement from a place to somewhere beyond it.”

I couldn’t have said it better. That’s the kind of art I aspire to create—something that transcends location, background, and even time.

The Journey Through Art

Art carries us from here to somewhere more luminous. It connects people through shared experiences, emotions, and memories. This collaboration has reminded me of the power of creativity to bridge distances and honor the past.

North Shore by David Caplan

📘 North Shore by David Caplan is now available—featuring my painting Sun Is Shining on the cover.

The original painting is still available for collectors who connect deeply with this story and its message. If that’s you, reach out anytime. I’d love to tell you more.

Reflection on Art and Life

Thank you for being here with me today. Now, it’s your turn: Have you ever experienced a moment of synchronicity like this? A time when art, emotion, or memory aligned in an unexpected way?

Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear them.

Don't forget; art can change our perspective and bring light during dark times.

Color Your Life!

Drica