Father and Son

Growing up in Lake Benton, MN, it was my job to shovel the driveway. Dad and I would work in the yard and then come in to warm up. This sketch is of me leaning on my snow shovel in dad's office watching him study. We had some great conversations then and I'm thankful for the memories.

I should probably give some additional backstory. Two years ago my dad had a stroke and lost the ability to communicate through speech. He recently had a fall and was in the hospital in MN. My family and I went up there to be close to him and this was drawn while sitting with him in the hospital. Since we can't visit, this is a way for us to connect. I sketch and talk about what I remember while he watches. There are a few phrases he can speak but not enough to carry on conversation. Thus, the memories of our conversations are a big deal for me. He's a wise man, my hero, and had perhaps the most profoundly hilarious sense of humor I've ever known. Though he's still with me, I miss him. Thanks for reading and watching.

MUSIC: "Wings of the Morning" by Doyle Dykes

If you're interested in having an original sketch done and filmed like the one in this video, please watch this vid for details. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZNTCBXz8kc&feature=channel

Visit my website at http://wilvan.com Bill Vanderbush

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• sketch
• speed
• ink
• drawing
• art
• wilvan
• william
• bill
• vanderbush
• sharpie
• timelapse
• pen
• Bill
• Vanderbush

[sepifi]

Omg that's story's so touching. You have great drawing skills, btw!

[wilvan]

@sepifi Thank you for the amazing comment. I learned to draw in Dennys. Seriously. My parents travelled quite a bit and we ate a lot of late dinners at Dennys. To keep me busy, mom would get a stack of placemats and a ballpoint pen. I ran a lot of pens dry. An artist without passion is like a writer with nothing to say. There is a ton of great art out there that has no perceivable connection to the heart. That's what I look for too. Thanks for noticing mine. I'm glad it shows.

[NicoleAndAshleyWeAre]

Hey this is a very good video. I'm so sorry for your loss.

[lumberjackrick]

Made me mis my dad.....hes been gone 15 years now......thanks you for reminding me how much I loved him

[TheYomamaLandon]

Very...very touching ;)

[Theanimatedcow]

ill be honest wilvan this made me cry. i never really had a good relationship with my father and seeing something so beautiful as it could have been but isnt makes me hurt alot inside. good video, excellent drawing! best wishes!

[Xenithrawxx]

Yay! Go left handed artists! :)

I loved this!

[knltaz89]

Very touching story, my heart goes out for you, You are an AMAZING Artist....Keep up the good work! Your Father if he could say more he would have a lot to say about his amazing love for you and you undying love for him!

[gustavosunidos]

Totally fresh production and drawing!! I love the back story, though I am sorry to hear about the decline in health of your dad. You are so blessed to have him and a unique way to visually translate your memories to him... Your gift is creating so many more gifts! Amazing...

[DjTommosimmo]

Oops, hey mate...

[DjTommosimmo]

Hey mate,

[SnipesProductionz]

Beautiful

[DarianHarman]

This has always been a particularly sentimental piece of music for me, and I would like to express my gratitude toward you for granting it yet even more meaning with your story.