Monday, April 18, 2011

Nostalgia (Large Version)

watercolor on paper 23.5 x 37.5

nos·tal·gia/näˈstaljə/Noun

1. A sentimental longing for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations.  

This chair belongs to my Grandma.  I have seen this chair my whole life sitting on her back porch.  Many a green bean have been shucked sitting in this chair.  My Grandma's house has so much meaning for me.  It is my home base, the place I think of when I hear the word "home".  Growing up we moved a lot, but every Summer was spent at my Grandma's.  So when I heard that she is planning on selling her house it shook me to the core.  Logically I know that it's time, she's in her 80's and even thought she gets around phenomenally well, that won't last forever.  Logically I know that even if the house is not in her possession the memories will still be there.  But, I feel like I'm losing my "home".  I'm sure it is also making me aware that she will not always be there.  So with all of these feelings and thoughts racing through my head I remembered taking a picture of this chair.  This chair that has been there my whole life and by the looks of it several lives before mine.  The day I took the photo reference, my Grandma wasn't quite sure why I wanted to take a picture of that old chair.  And she wasn't sure why I needed to move it out in front of her hydrangea bush with all of it's blooms deteriorating, she told me she planned on refinishing that chair and I should wait until then to take it's picture.  But that old chair is the epitome of beauty to me.  It's been around and all of it's peeling layers of paint make it all that much more beautiful!!  So when the house is gone and my Grandma has passed I hope to own that old chair, to remind me of "home".
Steven posing with "Nostalgia" just to give some scale:)

25 comments:

  1. It's a beautiful painting and a wonderful memory!

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  2. What a touching post...
    And this one is as amazing as the smaller version.. Great work Carrie.

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  3. Beautiful comment about this chair and splendid work!!!

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  4. Still amazes me, Carrie.....the beauty you paint. You could paint this one hundreds of times and it would still be as special as the first.

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  5. What a beautiful post, Carrie!! This is an amazing, amazing painting. You have captured the moment in time...

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  6. Beautiful painting! Beautiful words! Great title!

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  7. Beautiful done big!! Really wonderful painting and post!

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  8. I love how you painted this chair...you are such an amazing artist. And it is even more special since it belonged to grandma. :-)

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  9. I just can not believe this isn't a photograph! Absolutely incredible work!

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  10. Such a gorgeous painting, Carrie! And the story behind it makes it even more special.

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  11. I was wondering how long this took you to do? :0)

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  12. Thanks everyone! This was a great experience painting this piece. I loved the process and I may never paint small again:) Sandra this took a week off and on to paint. I get more painting done on the weekends when my hubby is home to entertain the munchkins:)

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  13. Beautiful story, Carrie. I really thought this was a photo.

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  14. Well-painted, as always, Carrie. I loved the story, and the photo of your son with the painting. He is as cute as a bug!!!

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  15. Exquisite...and absolutely phenomenal! Thanks for sharing your thoughts too...so heart felt. And big congrats to you, how does it feel to finished your first BIGGY?

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  16. Stunning, astounding, phenomenal painting carrie!!!! this is just breathtaking! and your post was perfect, it brought the meaning of the chair, grandma's home and grandma to life! BEAUTIFUL!!!

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  17. Carrie, you truly, truly amaze me. THAT IS MIND-BOGGLING good! The story jumps off the page and you've told it well.

    AMAZING.

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  18. Carrie this is just FANTASTIC! I love the story and I love how tenderly you've rendered this piece that obviously means to much to you. If this painting does not win Best in Show I will be ticked!

    You're awesome you know that? Truly wonderful work from a wonderful person. :)

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  19. Wow, Carrie! You have done a phenomenal job and, even better, what great sentiments/history to go along with it. Have a great week! xx

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  20. Wow! You have amazing talent!!! Great job.
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    Xo,
    E&J

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  21. Amazing art Carrie! Better than any picture. Looks so real!

    Thank you for such a great post!
    Irina

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  22. I love the way the chair came out. You can really feel your connection to this piece!

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  23. Your paintings are fantastic and this one has so much soul, you are incredibly skilled.

    Happy Easter!

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  24. Para mi me quedo con Nostalgia, es una grandisima obra, con personalidad y sentimiento.
    Y la composicion es sublime.
    Un saludo.

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