Eternally
Loved
A Journey in
Painting Dedicated to
My Grandma
Sadie “Tex”
Fein
I don’t know where to begin in
this blog. It is such an emotional journey…
My Grandma was one of my best
friends and greatest influences in my life. At 99 years of age, she was still telling dirty jokes and her
brain was as active and clearer than mine on my best days!
We spent the last twenty-five
years or so having lunch and shopping at the Dollar Store or Job Lot on a
weekly bases. We had more laughs
and fun….
My
Grandma was so proud of me being an artist. She would carry around a magazine
where one of my paintings had made it’s way to the cover and show everyone! She
would ask all about my exhibits, how many paintings sold, what I was painting
now…
"Looking Back"
Anyway... Grandma did everything on her own
terms. It was time to let her old body rest, so my very large family gathered
around for the last three days of her life. I didn’t leave Epoch ( the assisted living facility) during
that time. Actually, many of my family members slept with me on the hard floors
of Epoch just so we could be near Grandma in case she called for us or needed
anything.
"Conversations"
Two
days prior to my Grandma’s passing, I received an email from Gallery Z inviting
me to exhibit in their small picture show. Now… Grandma knew that Gallery Z was
my next “goal” I set my sights
on. So when I received the email,
I ran upstairs to her to read her the email. I could see the email gave her joy!
What a gift! My Grandma would know I had obtained my next goal!
"Swooning"
It
wasn’t until after she had passed that I thought through what I would paint for
the small picture show at Gallery Z. I decided to paint a new series in her
honor. I would call it “Eternally Loved”.
Each painting would show the many different ways we loved each other. I
would tie them all together physically with an old doily that was hers. I would
use the doily as a stencil to bring texture into each painting.
"Beautiful Branch"
Each
of the paintings displayed in this blog were painted on small canvases 12x12 or
smaller for the Gallery Z exhibit. I plan on continuing this series on larger
canvas’ until I can no longer think of ways Grandma and I shared our love for
each other. I guess it is my way of both holding on to my Grandma, and trying
to have Grandma’s love live on forever at the same time.
When
I paint these paintings; it brings me great joy thinking about the person who
might view them, and see their own love story in the painting. My hopes is to
spread Joy and Love through this series!
I
hope you’ve enjoyed reading my blog and viewing some of the paintings! Please continue checking my website for new paintings I will be adding to this series!
www.kimelleryart.com
Hugs
and Happiness,
Kim
Ellery
Beautiful. You are blessed to have such a wonderful relationship with your grandmother. And no one could honor her as beautifully.
ReplyDeleteThanks Beth! She really was such an amazing woman!
DeleteHugs!!!!
Kim
What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful, spirited lady. I am sure just as she was such a gift to you...it follows that you were pretty important to her as well. Encouragement for one another...I look forward to the paintings that continue to flow from you in your honoring of her memory. Thanks for sharing her with us
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading my blog about her Carol! I hope this series lives on for a while!
DeleteI just loved reading this, Kim. It made me remember my own grandmother and the time I spent with her during her passing from this life to the next. That's a difficult, but special time, I'm sure you understand what I mean. Thank you for sharing a bit of her and yourself with us. I can tell from her picture she had a bit of mischief in her and it makes my heart smile! Your paintings are wonderful, whimsical and full of love...I can understand why she was so proud of you! ♥
ReplyDeleteThank you Shelly! And yes... She DID indeed have a mischievous way about her, that's what made her so much fun! Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and comment too!
DeleteHugs!
Kim
Oh, Kim... this is such a beautiful post. Thank you so much for sharing this. My eyes are welling up with tears! I'm so glad you had a grandmother who invested so much in you. What a wonderful legacy!
ReplyDelete