My wife Carol loves her stuffed animals. She treats them as if they had a life of their own. At Christmas, Carole places them in just the right spots around our tree so that they can enjoy Christmas, too. As I watch her carefully opening each little box of ornaments, I realize how precious her things are to her. Watching her, I realize how precious she is to me and how much I love her.

She is my best friend in the world, always by my side. I often think about all the paintings that I sign my name to and how they are really done by both of us. Her help, suggestions, advice and honest criticism are as important as any brushstroke that I put on canvas.

When Carole’s birthday came in 1994, I wanted to give her something of myself. I noticed these two little friends of hers; they seemed to be alive, with feelings for each other. I painted this special image for Carole. It truly comes from the heart. Her best friends are my best friends because they remind me of her, and I will love her always. – JD