Wild Rain gallery, ken kinetic, tillamook

My Dad had retired five years ago from a career as a mechanical engineer, to pursue his dream of being an artist. His dream came true, and his second career was really taking off when he passed away leaving us to wonder what else he had swimming around in his creative brain.

We are fortunate that the owner of Wild Rain Gallery (where my Dad's art was being sold) has been very generous to hold the art there for us, but not sell it. It was such a treat to be able to take my kids to the gallery to see Grandpa's art. They are used to seeing it in his home, but a gallery gives it a whole other feeling.

I loved getting to see my Dad's art in the sort of gallery that we spent much time in over the years, he had dreamed of some day having his art in just this sort of gallery. It was hard too though, to be there without him.

My dad loved watching kids watch the motion of his art. It was mesmorizing. It was great to be able to share this special time with the kids and to know that they will have this special memory of Grandpa's art.

He had been designing jewelry as well, and my step-mom put many of the pieces together (and she is continuing to make some wonderful pieces). I'm so thankful that I was able to take some of the pieces with me. I had not seen any of these pieces before as this was a new venture for them. I had not been expecting to find mini pieces of my Dad's art (though I don't know what else I should have expected), I just love being able to wear these special pieces.

 

He built this contraption in a matter of hours to display the jewelery 

 

Miss J fell in love with one of the pieces too, so we brought that one home as well.

After our visit to the gallery we went out to lunch at a place my dad had gone to a couple of times.

 

We also made a stop at the Tillamook cheese factory.