I went to a memorial for my lovely, kind-hearted, great uncle Bob yesterday. He was the last of nine siblings – my paternal grandfather was the eldest and Bob was the youngest. Sad memorials are also splendid family gatherings. My sweet husband sat with me at a big, round table squished against a gaggle of my gesturing Italian cousins, aged 65 to 9. Part of the magic of a family tree is that it grows invisible, subterranean roots that keep our hearts connected over continents and decades. I can spot a cousin across the room, smile, embrace, and pick up where we left off the last time we saw each other, even if it was 6 years ago. We cousins are getting grayer and more deeply lined with age now, and we share a humor flecked with poignancy in our stories about the folks who’ve passed on, and our recollections of childhood shenanigans that have evolved into family mythology. I especially enjoyed the kids at the table, with their striking resemblances in familiar eye brows, coloring, and 3rd generation bone structure. The day made me want to come home and paint faces of my family and rooms & houses my family inhabits in old photo albums. Time is tumbling forward, and there are so many people in my heart to think about while the brushes are moving. Do you crave studio time too, after a loss or during bereavement?
Art Quote
One of the new things people began to find out in the last century was that thoughts – just mere thoughts – are as powerful as electric batteries – as good for one as sunlight is, or as bad for one as poison. To let a sad thought or a bad one get into your mind is as dangerous as letting a scarlet fever germ get into your body. If you let it stay there after it has got in, you may never get over it as long as you live… surprising things can happen to any one who, when a disagreeable or discouraged thought comes into his mind, just has the sense to remember in time, and push it out, by putting in an agreeable, determinedly courageous one. Two things cannot be in one place.
Where you tend a rose, my lad, A thistle cannot grow.
~ Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden, 1911
Thank you for the heartful beauty in words and roses. So sorry about your uncle, yet so glad his passing brought your growing/changing tree of love/family together. A wonderful time to be starting in a new studio, his spirit twinkling over your shoulder xxxxxxx
Thanks for the condolences and the sweet note, my groobness. xoxo
Lovely, eloquent post. ( and a beautiful, warm, love filled painting A week ago i was at my sister’s funeral and this echoes so much of my feelings. I am finally “back” to painting now. This was my blogpost for yesterday http://imageandmeasure.blogspot.be/2015/07/look-up-at-stars.html
enjoy the summer
Thanks, Michael. Sending heartfelt condolences to you and your family, and handfuls of hope that art-making & music help soften the edges of your loss.
So sorry for the loss of your uncle. A beautiful painting and post. Thank you.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara
As always, thank you, my friend, and bravo on your recent use of purple in that lovely bouquet of flowers painting!
Great shadows in ‘Garden harvest’ !!
Thanks, Jess!
So lovely! Reflections and shadows! 8-]
Thanks, Ellen! 🙂
You are so fortunate to have a large, extended family, and you painted such a lovely portrait in words of what it means to you. I look forward to seeing how you draw these deep ties into your art. And thank you for the inspiration – I have many photos of my ancestors that can form the basis of some meaningful projects for me and my family!
Hi Kathleen, thanks for your note. I hope you do find some inspiration in those familiar features and rooms of your photo albums. Family, and our history in it, is a well-spring of artistic imagery, and I look forward to seeing what you create from yours.
You have such a lovely way with words! I couldn’t have said it as eloquently as you have.
Thanks, Kim. I’m pretty sure you do just fine with wordy-words and artsy-art. (I read your blog, so I know.) 🙂 Happy art-making.
So well put! I feel the same. Thank you xoxoxo
Thank you, cousin. It was awesome to see you yesterday. xoxoxo
Your comment about “pick up where we left off the last time we saw each other, even if it was 6 years ago – is so true, with relatives, as well as good friends. I so enjoy your blog. Keep up the good writing and lovely paintings.
Hi Bonni, Thanks for the nice note. Isn’t it so great that we can shorten the thread of time like that? I’m glad you feel the same. How lucky for us!