Thanksgiving: Giving Thanks in Paintings

Thanksgiving is a time families come together to eat, enjoy each other’s company and share the things they are thankful for.

At Park West Gallery, we want to celebrate the blessings in life through five works of art that evoke images of “bountifulness”:

Home

Thanksgiving is an excellent time to acknowledge having a roof over your head. Whether it’s a house, an apartment, a condo, or even a friend’s couch, having a safe place to sleep at night is a reason to give thanks. Thomas Kinkade‘s iconic small town scenes are known for conveying the warmth and joy of home.

“Hometown Morning” (2000) Thomas Kinkade.

Health

Running from home to work, the stress of daily life makes it easy to forget to be thankful for good health. Everyone has aches and pains, but the ability to get out of bed every day is a privilege that should never be taken for granted. As an artist, Dominic Pangborn breathes life into each of his painting, communicating a sense of health and vitality in “Tiny Dancer.”

“Tiny Dancer” (2016) Dominic Pangborn

Family

Through the unpredictable highs and lows of life, strong families provide a constant source of love and stability. While some people find family in their sisters and brothers, others consider co-workers, friends or even pets as family. For Pino, the women in his family were a constant source of inspiration in his paintings. The comforts of family are unmatched, a perfect reason to be grateful this Thanksgiving.

“A Time to Remember” (2005), Pino

Friends

The ability to relate to another person is a blessing many people enjoy every day. Often painting women spending time together, Itzchak Tarkay is an example of capturing the essence of friendship. Whether it’s over a cup of coffee or a phone call once a week, taking the time to appreciate the friends you have is a wonderful way to give thanks this Thanksgiving.

“A Friend to Me” (2006) Itzchak Tarkay

Food

Although burning the turkey is an unwanted tradition in some families, having food on the table is a blessing. Norman Rockwell‘s portrayal of a family on Thanksgiving is an iconic celebration of the holiday.

“Freedom From Want” (1943), Norman Rockwell

While many of us are fortunate enough to be able to give thanks for the blessings above, others are not. The Park West Foundation is honored to serve underprivileged people through various outreach programs including KidSpeak, JumpShot Your Future, Prince’s Trust International and the Fostering Futures Scholarship Benefit.

This Thanksgiving, remember to give thanks for the blessings in your life and visit the Park West Foundation online to give blessings to others.