Sunday, April 21, 2013

Decorative Painted Pieces



In our family room,
I have a collection of painted pieces.

My mother lives in Pennsylvania and she 
is an artist and decorative painter.
She has taken classes and taught classes
for over 60 years.






Early American arts 
are very popular in Pennsylvania
and she raised her daughters 
to appreciate them. 

(When I was younger
I must admit that I did not love them so much,
but the older I get
the more I am drawn to them
because they remind me of my mom.)
:)


 


 


Of the different types of painting
 that she does or has done,
I have always been particularly fond of 

Norwegian 
"rosemaling" 

To describe it, 
I would say it is controlled and deliberate strokework
mainly in symmetric patterns, consisting of swirling
and sweeping brush strokes depicting flowers -- 
 their stems and leaves.


Close-up of  "rosemaling"  






She paints and has painted many styles,
 with early American tole painting 
being one of her favorites.



An oil can my father painted in the 1970's. The little box is a repro,
and the large box on the right is one my mother painted also.


A banded wooden box she painted.


 It's fun to see how her
brushwork and strokework
has changed over the years
as her painting techniques and classes
have given her new insights and methods.





She turned 80 in March!
And I love knowing
that even at her age --
she is always willing to learn 
more
still taking 3 painting classes 
each and every week.

It's her passion.



A wooden trunk she painted and gave to me.




The top of a step stool she painted years ago when the kids were small.


 It's so nice to have these!
(I can draw, but absolutely cannot paint. 
They are so different.)



My mother painted the fruit box on the left,
my dad painted the tin leaf bowl on the right.







But I know that someday,
when things slow down
and I am older and more relaxed,
and retired,
I want to learn to paint -- 
and paint and paint,
just like my mom.

   

Thanks Mom,
  for always being 
an inspiration to me.
Love you!








14 comments:

Susan said...

I love the rosemaling! My mom did it many years ago and I still have a couple of her pieces. I will always treasure them~

Ricki Treleaven said...

What a wonderful collection, Alison, and even more special since your mom painted the pieces. :D I hope you're having a great Sunday!

xo
RJ

Jane@Bluebird1959 said...

What a lovely post and such wonderful painting! Such special treasures. Jane

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

Gorgeous Alison, what a treasure to have these pieces! Happy belated Birthday to your mom!
Blessings,
Cindy

Sunflowers With Smiles said...

Alison, your mother is very talented. Her painting is beautiful. She is so blessed at 80 and it is so wonderful to hear that she is still painting.

Janette - The2Seasons said...

They are beautiful. My mother did the same style of painting plus she did oils. I have a lot of her creations and love them more now, too.

Susan said...

Your mother's painting is beautiful! What wonderful treasures you have that will always be close to your heart.

Sarah said...

Alison, I've always appreciated painted pieces. I'm not a painter, but admire those who have such talent. The rosemaling is a beautiful technique. You are so fortunate to have these treasures hand painted by your mom and dad. Kudos to your mom for her enthusiasm to continue learning. She is an example to all of us. ~ Sarah

MarmePurl said...

Beautiful tribute to a special talented Mom. Love shines through.
I used to paint quite a bit. Perhaps your mother might just have inspired me to get the brushes out.

The enchanted home said...

Your mom sounds like one talented lady! I love her passion and can only hope that at 80 I still "have it going on"! I think that keeps you young....such gorgeous treasures to pass down, I think you are never too old to keep on learning and she is a wonderful example to all who know her of how true that is.

Vikki said...

I love this post. Thanks for sharing your mother's talent. She does beautiful work! Vikki in VA

Olive said...

Allison, how lovely your parents painted pieces are. I especially like the boxes. xo, Olive

Elizabeth@ Pine Cones and Acorns said...

Allison, your mother is very talented! This is a beautiful tribute to a wonderful, talented mother!

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

Had to come back to thank you for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY! Such beautiful pieces!:)
Blessings,
Cindy