THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 29, 1995 TAG: 9510270183
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Frank Roberts
LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
PROUDLY, Brenda and James Carey talk about their son and his accomplishments. Painfully, they remember the day he died.
One of Jonathan Carey's accomplishments has become the first painting in a permanent student art gallery at the Suffolk School System office.
``Down at the 50,'' a Lakeland High School scene, was selected by Barbara West, his art instructor.
``He had the greatest work ethic of anyone I've ever worked with,'' said West, who has been teaching 28 years. ``He was also into music and writing but preferred to say it visually.''
In a recent visit to the office, his parents created their own portrait - of a loved, 18-year-old who had just graduated from Lakeland High.
``You know what I miss most?'' Brenda said. ``That smile of his. He was bashful, but always smiling.''
She said, ``He got along with everyone. People would often tell me, `I wish I had a son like that.' ''
Her husband sometimes thinks about little, taken-for-granted things.
``It's hard to think about him,'' he said. ``I like to cook. Sometimes, he'd come in and say, `Oh, that smells good.' ''
Jonathan was considering seriously going to culinary school.
``Right up to graduation, we talked about how to apply, things like that,'' West said. ``We talked a lot about his future. But no matter what he chose, art would always be part of his life.''
His mother described Jonathan as ``a spiritual person. He carried a Bible with him. He had a goal. We're Jehovah's Witnesses, and he was studying the religion. He had a pen pal in Florida, a girl, and they discussed their spiritual goals.''
Brenda recalled a July tour. ``He enjoyed that. He went to Niagara Falls. He had wanted to paint the Falls.''
About a month after that trip, Jonathan died when the boat he was in - fishing with some family members - capsized.
``It was devastating,'' said James, who works at QVC. ``Our faith, friends, neighbors and co-workers all kept us going with their concern.''
Their memories also keep them going - especially the things they can see - Jonathan's paintings and writings.
Jonathan represented the city during the annual 3 Days in March event in Richmond.
He contributed to the Suffolk Art League's Exhibit of Excellence, his work was shown in Student Gallery, and he was chosen to represent Lakeland in a cultural arts competition.
``He was also interested in photography, but preferred working on canvas. He wanted to do a cartoon storybook,'' Brenda said. ``He painted all the time. Often, he wrote his thoughts down, then transformed them into the visual.''
Jonathan, who was 6 feet tall, was also interested in drafting, playing basketball with neighborhood children and indulging in a little bit of bodybuilding.
In art class, he became interested in a project involving sculpturing.
``Everybody was supposed to make a full-sized person,'' West said. ``Jonathan created a full-sized midget.''
It turned out to be his father's favorite piece. His mom's favorite is a pen-and-ink drawing of people wandering about in a city.
Next year and years from now, Brenda, James and other visitors can see a painting called ``Down at the 50,'' a colored pencil sketch showing the campus. In front, a student sits on a rail by the track, his head buried in his hands.
No one knows why he is sitting that way.
He could be feeling blue, he could be tired, he could be thinking about his next class, he could be resting, he could be thinking happy thoughts . . .
Underneath the painting is a plaque: ``Jonathan Carey, Lakeland, 1977-1995.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by FRANK ROBERTS
Brenda and James Carey are proud that a painting by their deceased
son Jonathan will be in Suffolk Schools' permanent student art
gallery.
by CNB