Lilies for Lilly

 Out of all the pieces I've done over the past 20 years, this is one of my favorites.  In 2008 I designed this piece to be raffled off at a fund raising event to help Lilly - a little girl from my church that was battling Neuroblastoma [cancer].  Despite many trips back-and-forth from WI to NY for experimental treatments [which she did for over half of her life] Lilly passed away in April 2011.  The person that won this piece donated it back to Lilly's family. I rarely get to see a piece after it leaves my studio [unless it needs to be repaired], but I had the great privilege of giving it a fresh coat of wax before it went back to Lilly's family. 

Lilies were one of Lilly's favorite flowers.  White lilies represent purity, virtue and innocence. Rather fitting for a little girl that experienced so much in her short life.   It is in Lilly's memory I submit this piece; she touched so many in a short amount of time.