Bucket full of hope

This is my entry for the contest "Give the gift of Art". I usually don't have much time to paint for myself, but the topic hit my weak spot so I decided to try and express some of my emotions... I did it mostly for fun, not for the reward, because I already have a tablet and don't need another.

This painting is dedicated to my beloved family. Here is the story and symbolism behind it.
Three years ago we found out that my father had cancer. It was a shock to all of us. He began treatment and after two operations, his doctors prescribed him some terrible pills with at least a hundred side effects.

Meanwhile my mother and I, horrified at the thought of losing him, did everything in our power to ease his pain. That was the moment our family grew closer than ever before. That was the moment I realized how much my parents mean to me. Our life is comprised of this fight, hope, love and piles of pills three times a day. My father has not given up and despite all, he pretends to be cheerful and not in pain.

We are on the painting: my mother and I, next to us on the ground lies our bucket full of glowing hope and the tree is my father. He rests on his fragile roots while we are trying to pass to him all of our positive energy gathered in these spheres. He holds an umbrella to keep us save from the rain, because although he is weak and ill, he’s never stopped protecting us and taking care of us.

Done with photoshop CS6 and wacom cintiq. Aaand this is the longest description I’ve ever written.