Friday, January 22, 2010

Grandma’s Clothespin Basket - In Process

This is my grandmother's clothespin basket, just as it was left when they closed up her house. Actually, my grandfather hung out the clothes more than my grandmother did. Maybe he just enjoyed being outdoors more and this was a chore he took over. They lived on a farm with my Uncle George.

My grandfather came from an orphanage to work as a farm hand for my uncle and my grandmother came to run the house. They eventually married and the three of them lived on the farm for the rest of their lives. My uncle was a quiet man who smoked a pipe, read a lot and had great penmanship. It is funny what I remember about him, because the penmanship sticks in my mind. He gave me books for Christmas and birthdays written by author Marguerite Henry - Misty of Chincoteague, being the most well known. I still have all those books, and they're something I would not part with.

I am in the middle of this painting and there will be some changes to work thru. It has been one of those pieces that has stops and starts. But I am making progress again.

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Welcome 2010

Welcome 2010 and goodbye to 2009. I hope you all had a great holiday and are rested and ready for a new year. I had a lovely holiday, ate too much, did a lot of visiting and completely enjoyed the whole season.

Now it's time to get back to work and face the bare canvas, which I did and of course hit a blank wall. So I started sketching anything and every thing to get back into the groove. It really doesn’t matter what I draw, but just basically sit down and draw anything in the room to get it down on paper. The first couple come out a little rough, but it gets your eye and hand working together again. And while I was sketching I also did this little illustration. I enjoy doing these and they get put aside for future Christmas cards. Once again I'd like to wish Happy New Year to everyone, and I hope the coming year is full of joy for you and those you love.