Olivia

Last Sunday, my friend (and former roommate) Olivia Daubin Clark was driving down the highway when a deer jumped into the road. She swerved, but still ended up hitting it, causing her car to roll. Although she was wearing her seatbelt, she died instantly. Her two year old was also in the car but only sustained minor injuries. I am shocked and heartbroken at her sudden loss. She left behind a wonderful husband (that it took her so long to find!) and three beautiful boys ages two to eight. I watched her face light up with joy on her wedding day—the happiest I’d ever seen her. When I had my first son, she mailed me “Little Blue Truck” and tutored me on having sons (“they will be your little boyfriends and you will fall in love all over again every day.” She was right). Her death has brought to light how deeply her life influenced mine— the music I listen to, the simple way I decorate, the beauty in quiet, the soft voice when I mother, the appreciation of every soul. She was just starting to pursue painting and asking my advice about how to balance an art career with motherhood. I was so excited to see the body of work her hands would make. But she already created her finest masterpieces in her three sons, and when I think that their tiny arms won’t be able to hug their mama anymore, it forms a lump in my throat that I can’t swallow. In the helpless wake of all that I can’t change, I’d like to auction off this painting and donate the entire amount to her husband and sons. When I painted this, I was so fascinated with studying light— how it moved through things, bounced off them and reflected onto whatever was around them. It’s brought on new meaning as I think of Olivia’s light, how it continues to move through me and how reflecting it and sharing it keeps her alive, allows her beautiful soul to keep giving. The painting “All That Light Passes Through” is 16x20 inches (retails for $1,000). Bidding will start at $100 and will end Thursday, October 25th at 5:00 pm MST. Bid by commenting on this instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/BpSptG_AbFm/?taken-by=stephaniehockart and I will send a link to the highest bidder to pay through my website. (If you’d like to donate to the family, you can also go to their gofundme page here: https://www.gofundme.com/vvf3qb-help-for-the-clark-family)