Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Ancient Art

WallWednesday It’s time once again for What’s on Your Wall Wednesday, hosted by Barb at Grits and Glamour.  I was so excited when Barb posted a reminder on her blog because I’ve needed an inspiration for a new post. I have been so busy lately that I’ve neglected my blog.  When you’re finished here, be sure to head over to see Barb where she will have links to other participants.

 

watercolor 001 This watercolor hangs just above my magnetic memo board that I posted about HERE.  A few years ago I rescued it from a drawer at my mother’s house, had it reframed, and hung it in my kitchen.  When I painted it back in 1957, Mother had it framed in a simple black frame, and it hung in her kitchen for years.  I think it was banished to the drawer once her grandchildren started giving her their art work.  There just wasn’t room for everything.

My Aunt Mary, who painted the portrait of me on the pig that I use for my blog header, let me use her set of watercolors when I painted this for the fifth grade art show.  These were special watercolors.  They didn’t come in a tin box with a fat brush that you couldn’t shape the way you wanted if your life depended on it.  These watercolors came in tubes, and you squeezed the paint onto palettes and mixed it with water.

Aunt Mary lived next door, so every afternoon after school I would head over to her house, sit at her kitchen table, and work on my masterpiece.  I was so proud of it, and I think I even won a blue ribbon.

watercolor 002 The inspiration for my painting was this tile hot pad that Aunt Mary always kept on the countertop beside her stove.  Since she gave it to me a few years ago, I have kept it on the countertop beside my stove.  Even though it’s cracked and has been mended, it still comes in handy.

Now that I think about it, my barn painting is more than 50 years old.  Do y’all think that makes it ancient art?

19 comments:

Keetha Broyles said...

I LOVE your water color, in fact I think I like it a little better than the original tile!!!

momma said...

that is a great painting!! wow and in the 5th grade. good job. i really like it!!

Domestic Designer said...

I am so impressed. What a treasure! I love it!

Kat said...

This is really beautiful! I'm so impressed that you did this in the fifth grade. And I never heard the story about how you got your header photo, how wonderful. What a priceless treasure (both of them) Kathy

Debby@Just Breathe said...

You did an excellent job on that painting. Do you paint anymore?
It looks just like the tile. How wonderful to have that memory from your past.

Sue said...

Kathy, How nice to actually have a piece of artwork that you painted when you were a child! Your inspiration piece is a nice complement to it, as well. I wish I had been able to keep things from my childhood, including all the little poems I wrote and were published in the town newspaper. Why oh why do things get tossed away? I am instilling in my son that he should save everything he possibly can- and he is a pack rat, so I bet he will... thanks for showing us your picture.
:-) Sue

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you rescued it. I draw barely stick figures, but I have lovely painting & sketches from both my parents that I cherish. ~Mary

Kathleen Ellis said...

What a wonderful piece of art, Kathy! Even more special that you rescued it and are able to have it now to pass on! You are quite an artist as is your aunt!
thank you for sharing!
;-D

Stacey said...

Very neat! I'm so glad you found it. :)

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

Great watercolor painting! I too think it is better than the tile you based it on. You have some talent. I hope that you continued painting.

Kimbra Kasch said...

50 years isn't ancient - unless I'm right there too. Heck, 50 years isn't even an antique. But it made me think of the time my son went to a garage sale and came home all excited. "I've got an antique," he told us. It was a record player.

I really felt old then.

Tara said...

Nah, I wouldn't say it's ancient, maybe just vintage chic! Which is anything over 10 years these days. How great that you still have it to display. Yeah to Mom for keeping it safe for you for all those years!

Joyce said...

Do you still paint? How fun to still have something framed you painted as a child. I don't think I'd call it ancient : )

Southerncook said...

Kathy, Your painting is beautiful and you are very talented. It is amazing that you painted this in 5th grade. I do hope you are still painting. If not then you should be. You have talent girl.

Carolyn/A Southerners Notebook

Tonja said...

I think that makes it a true collectible! I'm sure it brings you joy each time you see it!

xinex said...

You art work is very nice, Kathy! You did a great job on it and I am glad you found it and got it framed, it's part of your childhood. Thanks on the info on the flowers and I am sure you are right cause you are the second person who gave me the same name..Christine

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Kathy, what an artist you were at such a young age! Do you still paint? I think your "ancient" art is fabulous! Did it win a prize? If it didn't, you must have been in the most talented 5th grade classroom in America. laurie

Wendy said...

Great painting! I just came over to say.... WOOOOO PIG SOOOOIEEEEEE! :)

Soosie said...

Once an artist, always an artist..I did not know that story, Kathy! No telling what i will learn on this site..next, you need to tell them how you did the Chase Sampler in 20 minutes..only person that I have ever known to actually finish it!

Great story..Thanks, Susie