While scrounging around in the my basement recently,
I came across a few paintings stacked in a corner
that I had somehow forgotten about over the years.
As I sorted through them,
I found myself smiling at the sweet memories they evoked in my heart.
This painting that was given to me a long time ago by someone who was going to toss it.
I grabbed it and stuffed it in my car.
that I had somehow forgotten about over the years.
As I sorted through them,
I found myself smiling at the sweet memories they evoked in my heart.
This painting that was given to me a long time ago by someone who was going to toss it.
I grabbed it and stuffed it in my car.
I loved this tranquil scene with its soft edges and quiet feel.
I temporarily propped it in front of the large mirror on top of the bookcases in my studio
next to the vintage hatbox that my friend, Randi, gave me (top hatbox).
[I wallpapered the hatbox in a pretty blue floral print.]
Another painting that I rescued from the abyss in my basement was one that was created by my great grandmother, Grace Whitman.
It's approximately 60 years old.
(I think she may have had a bit of bohemian hippy in her sweet old soul.)
(I think she may have had a bit of bohemian hippy in her sweet old soul.)
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After some ancestory research many years ago,
it was discovered that I am related to Walt Whitman.
How cool is that?
Maybe that's where my love of writing, photography, and nature is rooted.Three generations of my father's side of the family dabbled in painting on canvas.
My great-grandmother, Grace,
my grandmother, Lorena,
and my father, Gordon.
My Dad even helped my Mom paint a still-life once. Dad painted his first and Mom loved it so much, she wanted to try to make one. I can vividly remember him sitting by her side at the kitchen table evening after evening, guiding her hand and patiently teaching her some basics of oil painting. Of all the paintings I have, I treasure these two the most. The one he painted is the smaller one on the right. Mom's is the larger one on the left. 
I feel blessed to own paintings from each of them.
 This beautiful rose painting was originally purchased at the big Brimfield Flea Market, found a temporary home with Stephanie Bradley, and landed a forever home at Heaven's Walk. Thank you, my sweet friend!  The blush pink rose painting on the right was purchased for a song at the Allegan Antique Market last summer. I couldn't pass up the soft pastel colors. It's almost like a garden is blooming on the frantle in my kitchen. The tangled prairie hearts I made lay scattered like silver petals... 
"Little Girl Sitting" was painted by my father over 45 years ago
when he was a rookie student in his first painting class.
It's one of the largest of the paintings he created.
When I was just a child, I remember him saying that it reminded him of me.
It used to hang in the entry foyer of my childhood home. 
"Be The Light" was another one of his creations.
I always loved this painting because of the beautiful shades of blues.
It was the main reason why I ended up getting married on the beach in front of a lighthouse in northern Michigan 29 years ago.
I also fell in love with coastal Maine when I attended a friend's wedding out there one summer,
where the Husband and I stayed in a bed & breakfast inn on the coast and fell asleep each night to the sound of frothy blue waves crashing on the rocky shore. 
History...
memories...
and evidence of God-given talent
surrounds me in my studio.
It feels like great-Grandma Grace,
Grandma Lorena,
my mom and my dad
are right here with me.
I can almost see them all smiling
as I work with my hands.
And although I never quite captured an interest in painting on canvas, I pour my own love into creating my dream catchers and rosaries.    as it did on the first morning that ever was." ~Thomas Merton, 'A Book of Hours'   Be sure to follow me on Facebook where you'll be the first to see my new creations and updates at Heaven's Walk! And remember to sign up to follow Heaven's Walk on Bloglovin', since Google Reader is no more. Or...you can subscribe to receive the latest Heaven's Walk post delivered right to your inbox! Just enter your email address in the box where it says "Follow by email" on my sidebar. Thank you all for your continued support, encouragement, and love! |
