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Campbell on her Mom...

Posted: Friday, May 11, 2007 8:51 AM by Jaclyn Levin

(From Campbell Brown, TODAY Anchor)

When I think of my mother, Dale, I usually picture her covered in paint. She spends most of her time in a big open warehouse just outside of Pensacola, Florida.

In her studio, giant canvases cover the walls in various stages of completion. I would describe her paintings as bold. The colors are strong and the canvas is big. They are abstract and inspired by her Gulf of Mexico surroundings. (To see Dale's paintings click here.)

Painting is not a hobby for my mother. It is a passion. As she has said, since she was a child all she ever wanted to do was paint. Her only dream was to be an artist. But like so many women of her generation, she put her dream on hold to raise her children.  When we were kids it was clear to us that our stay-at-home Mom had greater ambitions; but ambitions that she was quieting for a time. She instilled in us the belief that we must follow our passions.

Now with her kids grown and gone, she has taken to her painting with a vengeance. There is no question she is making up for lost time. She paints without regret but certainly with urgency. Her commitment is my inspiration. Her desire has never waned and she has never let go of her dream.

For both that which she has given up and for that which she has determinedly held onto, I honor my Mom on this Mother's Day. WATCH VIDEO

 

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Dear Campbell, I think it is great that your mother loves to paint. I viewed some of her work and the pieces are really beautiful. I was an art major in college and I love to paint and draw. My mom has alot of my work hanging on the walls of her house. It is wonderful to have a passion in life and to follow a dream of doing something you love to do. I admire her lovely artwork. Keep on painting!!
Wow! Thanks for sharing your amazing mom with us. What a stunning vision she has, and you can see her spirit flaming out of her artwork. (Love that barefoot Southern gal look!) My mother was a fashion illustrator, back in the days of pen and ink, before desktop publishing. Sadly, she died 3 days after Mother's Day in 1989, so this is always a hard holiday. Thanks for brightening it.
Campbell, we have never met but I claim some sort of kinship with you. My wife's maiden name was Diane Campbell. Her Daddy was Ralph (Uncle Son) Campbell, Billy Fairbanks' Uncle. Uncle Son and Billy's mom were brother and sister. Billy and Dale were nice enough to invite us all over for a crawfish boil back when they lived in that big ole house on the Mississippi River, just across the river from Natchez. I don't think Dale realized what she had gotten herself into when we all showed up at the front door. Billy invited all of Uncle Suns ole friends and your wonderful mother and Billy fed us boiled crawfish for lunch and fried catfish for supper. Uncle Son, my teenage son and I stayed at your house for a couple of days and fished in the nearby lake. I met your two sisters, and we heard an awful lot about you, but you were off at college or somewhere. I remember your mother as being a wonderful, nice person. No wonder you turned out so well. I remember Dale was into running at that time and Billy was into boxing I think. Dale probably remembers those few days a lot less fondly than me, but I still claim kinship.
campbell, i am a resident of jackson, ms. and we think you are great. you are a real southern gal. you bring joy and hope with every smile that you have. keep up the good work asnd we mississippians love claiming you as our ambassador of good will and positive thinking
Dear Campbell, I love your Mom's art work. My Mom also paints, she is 81, and I love her work also. It is such a joy to see you on the Today Show, and you bring a joy in the morning that isn't always there, but then you cheer me up!! Thank You
Dear Cambell, it is wonderul that you are honoring your mother as we all should. I just saw a clip on saturday am of you kayaking. My husband, 18 month old grandson (only one with lifejacket)and I were boating and thrown from boat, my husband who could swim under normal circiumstances could not on that dreadful day. I lost him. My grandson and I survived. My sincere request to you is that in the future you incourage everyone to wear lifejackets. You could be the unlucky one to leave someone in the water. Thanks for your consideration.
Dear Campbell, I'm an 80 yrs old senior who watches the Today and Weekend Today show.for a very long time. However, on today's show 5-12-07, Lester was taking his Mom back to their roots to the Island of Jamaica for his Mother's Day gift to his Mom. Since I watch it in bed, I may have dozed off and missed it. Is there anyway I can see it again? I hope so, since I was looking forward to it. Thank you for your assistance in advance.
Dear Campbell: That was very nice, what you did for your mother for Mother's Day. Keep up the good work on the Today's Show. I have been a long time viewer since I was a teenager in high school that started in the 1970's until now. I am 50 years old now and still watching every morning at 7:00 am and the weekends too. Sincerely,
Dear Campbell,I just watched your segment on you and your sister, mom, grandmother, and niece. it was wonderful! Four generations was fantastic!It truly brought out the meaning of family,especially when Hurricane Ivan destroyed the family homeand everyone showed up the next day. Before your piece was over, I was in tears because I miss my mom. I have always been a fan of yours because you relate to people so well.
I didn't catch the beginning of the piece about your mom, but when you mentioned Hurricane Ivan, it captured my attention. I went on line and there It is. Pensacola. I live in Pensacola and was also here in Ivan. I didn't know your family lived here. Is your mother's work in a gallary here? My mother works at an art gallery in the mall for a local artist, Nina Fritz. Maybe your mother knows her. Anyway, I thought it was interesting. God Bless you, and your mother on this very special day. You must read Proverbs ch31- 10-31 a true tribute to Mothers and Women in General.
Dear Campbell: It is so good to see a woman in your postion to be proud to show off your Mom with us. My mom has pass on and Mother day can be hard for me. It makes me proud of the things that we did together when I see a program like yours. So, from this La.native from B.R. that lives in Mobile,Ala. now. Thank you again for sharing. An, keep up the good work you do on the Today show. We are proud of you from the State of La. and Ala. But I still love L.S.U football. Lol!
Cammi, I can call you that because that is how I knew you way back when...when your Mom and my Mom were very good friends...well, they still are good friends. I have so many fond memories of my time at your house on the lake. Dale was like a 2nd Mom to Annette and I for a while there when we needed it most, and you three were like sisters to us as well. Dale is an amazing person, and what a sweet way to honor her. Happy Mother's Day to Dale, Gentry and Cher...Much love to you and your entire family.
Wonderful piece on you mom Campbell!! Dale's passion for art is very obvious. I too am an artist, who paints as a colorist, love those colors. Check out my webpage www.artsofthewild.com Thanks again for introducing us to your mom. Judy G.
Campbell and Lester: I love you both and never miss a broadcast if I cannot watch I always tape it. Loved the tribute to both your mom's it was GREAT and so are the both of you.
Dear Campbell: It was such a pleasure to see your article this morning on the Today Show. We are all really proud of you and you career and it was so nice to see Ms Alma and Dale. I have loss touch with them through the years and get back to Natchez when I can to visit Ross and continue my love of the oil and gas business. Regards and continued good luck, Meade
Dear Campbell, We really enjoyed your Mothers' Day story! We appreciate how you shared about your mother and your family. And it was even more special to us because we live about four houses down from your mother's home in Gulf Breeze. Our best friends used to live in that house and we too have great memories at that place! We are so glad that you can come here and unwind too! Thanks for what you do to make the Weekend Today Show great!
Campbell and Lester: I love you both you both do such a fantastic job of broadcasting. It was so nice to see you with your mothers.
Hi Campbell! I was wondering if you could tell me what your niece's name is? My mom saw your show Sunday morning and said she liked the name but can't remeber what it was. I am expecting a baby in December and we are looking for names! Thanks! Courtney
Great piece on your family. I was told to watch by the girls at the bank (delta bank aka la central bank). my dad, mike rabb, has been there since it opened and always has had so many wonderful things to say about your grandfather (he is certainly missed) and family. great job and keep up the good work!
Hi Campbell and Lester: Your mother's day series was great. Lester's trip to Jamaica with his mom and Campbell's trip to Florida were most enjoyable. You are both complements to your moms.


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