MY FRIEND KEVIN

I am a true believer, that people come into your life for a reason. It isn't coincidence that brings people together.

Many years ago as a child, my siblings and I attended the local Baptist church. This is how we  met the Kersey family.  I must have only been around 6 or 7 at the time but I remember them well. 

The Kersey's hailed from the USA so in a little outback North Queensland town, their strong American accents alone made them stand out.   

Several years have gone by and every now and again, the Kersey's would come up in conversation between my older siblings when we looked back upon our Sunday School days.  Life goes on.

Then as most people who become connected to the World Wide Web do - I joined Facebook.  There was a page set up for past students who attended my old high school. 

I was scrolling through the names and then one name stood out in particular. Kevin Kersey. 

He posed the question, "Does anyone remember my family the Kersey's?"  Well I couldn't ignore the question, so I wrote back and said, "Yes my family and I remember the Kersey's." 

I wasn't surprised when Kevin said he didn't quite remember our family but that was ok.  We all get caught up in life - that's human nature. 

So Kevin and I started corresponding talking about Charters Towers and his childhood memories of this place.  

It wasn't too long into our friendship that I was to learn that Kevin had been battling with cancer. 

He kept us all updated on his progress through his own Blog.  The one thing that stood out about Kev's Blog, was how his strength shone brightly through his written word. 

I know he wouldn't have been feeling strong but his courage through his words were all too apparent to me. 

Then there came the day, that I was to learn that Kevin and his beautiful wife Roni, were coming to Australia for a visit and they were coming back to Charters Towers. 

I was pleased and proud when they said they would like to pay me a visit and have a look at the paintings that they had heard so much about. 

So I waited with anticipation, the visit from friends of long ago!  Then I had a thought, I would dearly love to give them something to take home with them - but what? 

I literally slapped myself on the forehead when I came to the realisation, "Of course - a painting!"  So I set about doing a painting - just for Kevin and Roni. 

This is how "Freedom of Spirit" came about.  Kevin owned a Harley Davidson which he loved as Harley owners do, so I made the painting about his beloved motorbike.

"Freedom of Spirit"

FREEDOM OF SPIRIT (BERRENGE NAHN)

This painting is a spiritual representation of the sense of peace and freedom you derive from riding your motorcycle

The central and inner circles represent the journey

The two dots in each corner, represent the two of you as you ride along together

The smaller circles at the bottom and at the top represent the wheels and the journey to and from your destination

The smaller dots dark brown and yellow ochre represent all the beauty that you have witnessed as you look in every direction, a far as the eye can see

The blue background represents fresh air and wind "May all your travels happen beneath clear blue skies"

The yellow dots represent the sun in your face

The white dots signify safety and security

The dark brown around the outer edges represents the road under your wheels

The three inner red circles represents the sun set at the end of the day

The black and orange dots represent your beloved Harley Davidson 

 me and Kevin Kersey

 

Roni, me and Kevin

Kevin was deeply touched by my gift and I was glad to be able to do something special for him.  

Sadly, Kevin lost his battle with cancer in December 2010.  

I think he touched my heart so much, because of the conviction of his words.  The least I could do for Kevin, was to share a little of myself and my culture with him.

A short tribute to Kevin and Roni appears in my introduction DVD when I give talks to students and community about my art and my Indigenous heritage.   

COMPASSION, STRENGTH and COURAGE are the three words that come to mind when I think of Kevin Kersey. He and his family came back into my life for a reason - if only to teach me these things.

Rest in Peace Kevin.

 I was honoured to get to know you again - even for a short while.