Uncle Duane painted landscapes. Here is an example of his work.
Sadly, the artistic gene bypassed me. My attempts at drawing or painting looked like something done by a toddler. Sigh.
So I was delighted when I learned of my granddaughter Maddie's interest in painting. She sent me a card thanking me for the birthday money I had sent her and telling me she would use the gift to purchase art supplies. I asked her Dad to take some pictures of her paintings for me.
I would like them even if I weren't her Grandma. Her Dad tells me that she loves to paint. I hope she continues.
Oh, and Maddie May - I'm pretty sure I could find a frame and a blank wall. Just sayin'.
If you're a quilter, you're just an artist of a different genre.
ReplyDeleteI guess you are right, Gorges...I can make most anything with a needle and thread, but give me a canvas and paints, and I'm lost. :)
DeleteYour family does have talent!
ReplyDeleteI have always felt terrible because I had no artistic talents like the rest of my siblings and some of my cousins.
When I was at a school that teaches sewing for women going to work in sewing factories, I took a shine to commercial sergers even though I had no desire to sew in a factory.
I made Cabbage Patch clothes and sold them at craft shows. One of the instructors who had long admired my work said to me one day, "You know, Linda, anyone can sew. What you do is artistic, not just sewing. You create things that use colors in ways I have not seen. You are an artist with sewing and cloth." That comment gave me the biggest boost. I had never thought of it that way.
Later, at several craft shows, I won prizes I did not even know were up for grabs. When I won the ribbon for most creative, the "real" artists who used canvas and oil were so insulted.
I wanted a certain tshirt that was painted and decided to paint one for myself. It was so good that people begged me to paint the same tshirt for them. NO! It was the only tshirt I ever painted.
When I sew, I can pick things up and put them down. When, I painted, I picked up wet paint and put my hand down in paint because I was not accustomed to paint! Well, on the walls is different.
Sorry this is so long.
Linda...I think what Gorges said is true. There are many different ways to be an artist and painting is just one of them. To be able to create doll clothes like you did takes talent. Especially when you are selling at craft shows where you need something that people can't get at Walmart. My mother had a talent for sewing and kept my sister and me in really nice clothes when we were young. I have always wished I could paint like some of my relatives did, but I think I get as much satisfaction from making a quilt as I would from painting a picture. Plus I am more practical and like making things that can be used and not just looked at. I wish I could have seen some of your creations.
DeleteDon't ever worry about a comment being too long. I enjoy them all no matter the length. :)
One blogger suggested I post on my own blog because I was using up all her space and blogger would do something to her. No idea what she was talking about.
DeleteI think you are right about getting more satisfaction from making something. At the largest craft show around here--in B'ham--the woman who ran the show apologized for putting me across from one Cabbage Patch clothing booth and two table down from another. It did not bother me at all because people when to those booths and usually came back and bought from me. I received pictures of my clothing in use. I also received cards years later saying those were the best doll clothes ever and were washed with family laundry and they held up, unlike clothes that came on the dolls. Customers saw me 20 years later and brought their daughters/granddaughters and introduced me to them, telling them I made the doll clothes 20 and 30 years before.
My mother told someone that she did teach me the basics of sewing but that I just learned the rest on my own. She did make our clothes when we were young.
Linda...I think that other blogger just made that up. I have never seen where limits on comments are set.
DeleteIt makes a big difference when a person buys from someone like you who takeS pride in good workmanship. The fact that your customers stayed in touch is testimony to your talent and ability.
I am of the opinion that we need to get back to the basics, like sewing and gardening. My mother would be horrified if she saw the shoddy workmanship in so many of the store bought clothes today. I worked for a very short time in a factory that made t-shirts. I was interested in quality. They were just interested in quantity. We were not a good fit. :)
Vicki,
DeleteWhen my son was ten, we were shopping in a nice store. He commented on the top stitching on a shirt placket, commented how a plaid did not match on a shirt front, commented on loose threads on buttons and how they would pull out. He went on and on critiquing the sewing on items.
When I went to the department register, the woman said she had never heard anyone talk like he did, that he knew so much. I told her I sewed and was picky about how things were made and had commented on the same things and made sure mine was perfect. Mostly, I would comment on why I was not going to buy a garment or my mistake I took out.
I think the blogger did, too. As long as people are on topic, I don't care how long the comment is. Sometimes, it is off topic and I am wondering why, but I just go with it.
Linda...None of my kids ever showed any interest in sewing. I confess it still irritates me to see things like loose threads or plaids that don't match on a store bought garment. I have thought about sewing my own clothes again, but because I move so slowly these days I wonder if I could still do it. Going out shopping is a chore, but maybe if I could order online and have fabric, patterns, notions, etc. shipped, it might be possible. I'll have to look into it.
DeleteI really don't care if someone gets off topic in the comments. Some of the most interesting conversations I have had are those that went off in another direction. To tell the truth, the main reason I continue to blog is that I enjoy so much the give and take of conversations in the comments. :)
What Gorges said...your quilts are amazing and very artistic. Same for your crochet.
ReplyDeleteLove your granddaughter's paintings.
Having a quiet day at home - the dog and I are both napping the day away. SJ
Thanks, SJ...What a nice thing to say. I guess I haven't considered my needlework efforts as being very artistic. It is just something I love to do.
DeleteI love Maddie's paintings, too. I may have to pester her to do one or two for me. I have lots of pictures of the kids, but it sure would be fun to have one she painted herself.
There has been some serious napping going on here, too. I have no excuse. The temp is in the low 80's and the humidity is low as well. Can't blame it on the weather. Guess I will blame my lack of get-up-and-go on old age and let it go at that. :)
Thank you grandma for admiring my work !! I hope to paint some more paintings soon !!
ReplyDeleteLove you grandma, Maddie.
Maddie Mae...It was fun for me to see your paintings. I like them very much. You have your own style and that is good. It means that your art is unique and not like everybody else's. Keep up the good work.
DeleteAnd I love you, too.
The paintings your granddaughter did are really nice. My son likes to do pencil sketches. I think it's very relaxing for people to sketch or paint.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Harry...Maddie is only 13 years old which is another reason I am impressed with her work. Her Dad tells me she loves to paint and I hope she will continue. I have thought, too, that the ability to draw or paint must be relaxing. I find my needlework has that effect.
DeleteThat's awesome, all very talented! I think everyone is creative in their own way. I could never paint or draw either lol. Plus as mentioned above you have your sewing which is a talent in itself.
ReplyDeleteJenn...You may not be able to draw or paint, but you have a talent for photography. It is an absolute joy to see the photos you post.
DeleteI keep thinking I should learn to sew. My mom and later the Girl Scouts tried but I wasn't interested then. One more thing for the wish list of things to do.
ReplyDeleteJust so you know - my laptop is starting to have some issues. So if I'm not commenting, it may mean it's kicked the bucket.
Cheers, SJ
SJ...Mother taught me to sew when I was about 10 years old. That was when my family moved to the country and I joined the local 4-H club. I am debating whether to sew clothing again as I did for years or if I should just sew quilts for fun. Either way, it is one of those skills that seem to be fading out of existence but still is a good skill to have.
DeleteHope everything works out with your laptop. A couple of years ago my aging desktop began to go all wonky and I finally just went and bought this laptop. So far it has worked just fine. I would be lost without my computer. And mostly I would miss chatting with those who comment.