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| original watercolor on paper 19 x 27 |
rem·i·nis·cence –noun
1. the act or process of recalling past experiences, events, etc.
2. a mental impression retained and revived.
Since I've been visiting family recently, I had the opportunity to revisit this old chair. I love that this chair has history and has been in the family for several generations. During my visit a few weeks ago my Grandmother was telling me that my Great Grandmother used this as her wash tub chair. I guess that might explain the wear pattern on the seat. I was a baby when my Great Grandmother died, but I've heard she was a real spit-fire and I'm named after her, so in some way this painting connects me to her.
Since I've been visiting family recently, I had the opportunity to revisit this old chair. I love that this chair has history and has been in the family for several generations. During my visit a few weeks ago my Grandmother was telling me that my Great Grandmother used this as her wash tub chair. I guess that might explain the wear pattern on the seat. I was a baby when my Great Grandmother died, but I've heard she was a real spit-fire and I'm named after her, so in some way this painting connects me to her.
When I showed my Grandma pictures of my paintings of this chair she said "why didn't you paint the whole chair?". So here it is the whole chair. I really enjoy painting the layers of paint on the chair and the beautiful colors that are layered on each other. Can I tell you that Daniel Smith's quinacridone paints are quickly becoming my go to paints. They are so beautiful and vibrant, can't get enough of them.
What is your favorite childhood memory? Have you used that memory as a source of inspiration for you? I'd love to hear your stories.
Carrie
It's beautiful, Carrie. You could use this chair in every painting and I would never tire of it.
ReplyDeleteCarol B.
This is BEAUTIFUL, Carrie! I love the layers of paint in the seat. And I enjoyed the story of the chair.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite stories involves a love seat I inherited from my mother. She was a little girl living in the country, and her mother bought the love seat from a lady who was a widow and moving away. My grandfather drove a wagon to get the love seat and Mother went with him. She told me that "like a kid, I sat in it all the way home". I think of that story every time I see the love seat.
What a lovely story! My Nan also plays a huge part in my best childhood memories as I have often said in my own blog :0)
ReplyDeleteAs for the painting - Are you sure that you are not just taking photograph's and pretending they are paintings??? ;0D
I agree with Sandra... Your painting is so perfect as to appear as a fine photo - hah!
ReplyDeleteMy great grandmother taught me to tat (make lace) when I was only five. Years later when I had children and she had passed away, I re-learned to make tiny picot lace for white collars. She is with me still.
Bises,
Genie
Absolutely beautiful! Love the colors of the seat. When I was a little girl my mom always hung the sheets out to dry. I remember them blowing in the breeze and running through them.
ReplyDeleteMy grandparent's farm was a favorite place for me as a kid. Gran's sugar cookies, the tire swing and Kool-Aid drunk from a mason jar will always be sweet memories for me.
ReplyDeleteLove your chair! Great job in getting those layers down. It's a wonderful painting with a wonderful story!
Beautiful Carrie! I love this! You are really exceptional at creating detailed paintings with heart and soul. Very, very well done!! And I guess horses always remind me of my childhood, which is probably why I paint them so much. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely family story, Carrie, thank you. I also love those Daniel Smith quinachridone colors. For the effect of soft spots of light, I studied Jacqueline Gnott's paintings; I found lifting worked for me. Let me know how it goes for you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful painting, Carrie. I think it's cute what your grandmother said about the "whole" chair. (that would be something my grandmother would say too.) :) I look forward to seeing your newest paintings as you blog. You are so stinkin' GOOD with texture -- very inspiring! Thank you also for the comment on my recent post. I'm hoping to get a few more paintings done from photos I took. Great idea about the bookstore. I have to get more on-the-ball with marketing and selling. (I'm thinking about joining DPW to start online). Anyway . . . great work . . . you get me motivated. :)
ReplyDeleteMmmmmm favorite childhood memory? Christmas shopping in the old downtown of our city (since has become a ghost town) at night, while it was snowing! Nope, never used anything of it in my art... but maybe someday! I love the 'wear' pattern on the chair, too - and I am WITH you on those DS quinacridone colors - when I painted with watercolor I hoarded them!
ReplyDeleteVery very beautiful. I like that even with the sharp detail, you haven't lost the focus.
ReplyDeleteWow. You continue to outdo yourself. It's beautiful. Well done.
ReplyDeleteoh no you didn't!!! the whole chair is as stunning as the cropped chair....just breathtaking carrie!!! and what a lovely story. there's love in that painting for sure.
ReplyDeletechildhood memories? hmmm. gotta think. amazing painting!
This chair sure looks like it could tell some stories! Obviously painted with love... great job Carrie.
ReplyDeleteThis chair has even more rustic character Carrie! Great job! I hope it was not boring to paint the part second time :)
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Irina
I love old furniture...especially the ones that belongs to our family! they all have stories and memories. This chair almost looks like a photograph! Carrie, your watercolor skills are amazing!!
ReplyDeleteCarrie, your chair has such beautifully rendered character, as a venerable family piece should have! It has the glowing patina of age and memory.
ReplyDeleteI love using the quinacridone colors. They give such vibrant colors.
Thanks for your visit to my blog. I appreciate your comments.
whoa I keep loking at this watercolor and still can not believe how you capture so much in it! Fabulous. I have so many wonderful memories of my Grandmothers. My paternal grama was an artist and artisan and because of her, I learned needlework, sewing, quilting...we would crochet and sew together...and pick strawberries. I have a stool that she caned. I love it. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYour watercolors are really nice!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for following us!!
Wow Carrie - you are just an incredible painter! That is one fantastic chair. And I love the story behind it. Thanks for sharing that ; )
ReplyDeleteWonderful watercolor Carrie ! We can feel it means so much to you... Bises.
ReplyDelete