December 1, 2002 Issue
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| Here
come the Holidays! Well, Thanksgiving has actually come and gone,
that would be the kick-off of the season. The rest of this year will
be a whirlwind of shopping, cooking, greeting friends, sending cards,
decorating the house and yard, and planning parties. At least, that
is how it should be. These days, for Ed and I, things have begun
to mellow. Our preparations, if not sparse, are at best, somewhat
toned down. When our boys were young, the season revolved around
them. When they went to college, and to the Navy, we waited anxiously
for them to arrive "safely" home for the holidays. All too soon,
our sons chose brides, and established their own traditions, sharing the
time with the new families. As the grandchildren arrived, the precious
days were more important than ever to our children and their spouses to
carefully nourish the season of joy and thanksgiving in their own homes,
as we once did. To this end, my husband and I assumed the role
of special guests. And this suits me just fine. I do, so much,
enjoy the pleasures of watching the grandchildren, wide-eyed with wonder,
eagerly await the magic of Christmas. I have earned the priviledge
of being the matron of the family, not expected to slave for hours in the
kitchen, yet amazingly produce from the bottom of the large brown bag,
a tasty, unusual, surprise "goody" from an old family recipe book
(Better Homes And Gardens Recipe Book, circa 1964). It is a
treat to pay undivided attention to Molly, now 11, as she reads from her
latest book. Grampa spends time with Zach, 7, the computer guy, who
is a fast learner, and willing to share with him; and Aaron, 2, who falls
asleep on his big strong shoulder. Megan, our precocious 5 year old,
is developing her artistic talent, and I sit with her at the table creating
crafts and unique paintings. Then, when it is time to clear the dinner
dishes, and wash up, I take no offense in being gently urged to "let me
do it, Mom, you just relax and play with the kids." No argument there!
Well, come on Holidays!
Next Issue: Americana: Our Heritage
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Still Lifes: Alive
And Well
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| There are some who
will argue that still life paintings are boring and mundane; that
there are more exciting subjects to tempt the artist, that still life paintings
have gone the way of the dodo bird. I, for one, delight in the challenge
of creating a composition of inanimate objects, sometimes fruit and vegetables
or flowers, to delight the eye of the beholder. I enjoy putting together
unusual combinations in unique configurations to press the limits of the
conventional. Yes, I have painted in watercolor, gouache and pastel,
some interesting pieces, but the best are still forming in my head.
I want to do a series of glass fishing floats. I have some excellent
research material of dried autumn leaves balanced on smooth river rocks.
"I want to do a series
of glass fishing floats"
Last year I was honored to spend time at the
garden of a delightful Olympia area couple, who have set up their home
and yard with enchanting still life "props". Nestled in one corner
of the garden is a small shed draped with old logging implements.
Around a corner are unique and charming birdhouses in twos and threes,
or swaying all alone in a most picturesque old fruit tree.
Snuggled amidst verdant blooms I spied a rusting mailbox stuffed with twigs
from a previously occupied bird nest. Indoors, the talent of this
couple was evidenced in the display of a violin and blooms in a tiny cubby
hole under the stairs; a pot-bellied stove bedecked in twining ivy; a lovely
hand blown glass candy dish smothered in dried pale-blue hydrangea heads;
and from room to room, treasures to delight an artist's soul. |
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A life-long friend
and fellow artist, Jean Barge, also lives in a still life wonderland.
She resides on a ranch near Olympia. Over the years, she has collected
and displayed in her yard, the trappings of ranch and farm life.
There are milk cans and watering buckets, chains and cowbells, a rusty
wood burning stove, and a children's old tractor, that looks rather
like it is longing for the child to return and take it for a spin.
She has placed in shaded nooks; wagon wheels and water fountains.
On a small ledge there is a Tiffany style lampshade, inverted and planted
with succulents. I am sure that any time I wish, I could plan a get-together
with her, and we would paint plein air until the cows come home.
(At which time she would have to quit to do the milking!)
"we would paint plein air
until the cows come home"
Now, let me wax eloquent concerning flowers
and fruit. I have a lovely flower garden which each season provides
me with a bounty of beautiful blooms. Over time, I have collected
some quite nice vases in which to display them. My artistic eye enables
me to creatively arrange bouquets, sometimes by color, sometimes by size
and/or pairing of dissimilar shapes. Always I enjoy the challenge.
Then I will sketch, photograph, or outright paint them on the spot.
The first still life floral was in watercolor. I had been painting
flowers for a while in 8" X 10" and 5" X 7" sizes to print as limited editions.
When a "white-on-white" bouquet caught my eye, I knew I had to paint
it. Since then, I have acquired the skill of painting with pastels
and gouache, which permits me a greater freedom of choice in subject matter.
As time went on, I set up fruit or vegetable still life compositions and
painted or researched them (as time would permit). Boring? Mundane?
Never. The artist must paint what inspires her.
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