Tuesday, April 7, 2009

From early childhood


What looks like a tryptich is part of a set of 5 children's pictures that hung over my bed when I was a baby. This means 59 years ago or so. They were created out of nothing: Taken from some book? I don't know the origin. To me, this is the evidence of the love of my Granddad which I did not understand in time. They had almost nothing, and he was a very cautious and sparing man. In a time of a lingering traumatic experience, a man who survived two world wars took 5 little pieces of plywood, pasted pictures onto them, painted some touching dots and lines onto it as a frame, fixed a loop on the back, and covered the front with shellac to protect it. It has protected these pictures until today. And my memory.

(b&w photo was taken by my Dad, his son-in-law)

17 comments:

ArtSparker said...

Beautiful, they are very precious.

the photo is a wonderful portrait, he looks so deliberate...all actions considered beforehand, and complete responsibility taken for them.

Eva said...

That's how he was.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely treasure to have.

Kay Koeper Sorensen said...

It is amazing that you still have these.
Most all things from my childhood were worn out and used up by younger siblings.
K

Barbara Strobel Lardon said...

Momentos like these are priceless aren't they? How wonderful for you to still have it.

The portrait is so wonderful in black and white. Makes me wonder if we should photograph that way more often then we do now. It gets to the essence so much better.

Cecilia Levy said...

what a handsome portrait and beautiful pieces of art. precious.

Anonymous said...

So much love.

Carmen Rose said...

Beautiful! Absolutely beautiful!

Art4Sol said...

It's wonderful that you still have them. And it's interesting how these little treasures take on new meaning as we get older...as we understand more. Thanks again for sharing a little of your history.

Diane Cransac said...

What a wonderful tribute to your grandfather. You are so lucky to still have them. They must be some of your greatest treasures!

Eva said...

Thank you so much for the empathic reactions!

Judy said...

How sweet they are and what a lovely memory! I am so glad that you still have them!
and what a wonderful portrait of your grandfather. He must have loved you very, very much!

xo

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful memory and a treasure from someone who obviously loved you very much.

Rayna said...

A man of few words - but his actions speak loudly..and in some ways, more meaningfully. Lucky you!

Ouno Design said...

I love this post, the artwork, and your grandfather. I love what you wrote about it on my blog, though I wouldn't say this is kitsch because I think things for children should be exempt from that category, don't you? These are beautiful pieces.

Pat said...

i am so glad that you pointed me to your tribute to your grandfather....after reading my more recent blog post about my own grandfather. he was a very special man, i think, who had a very special love for you. the time he took with few materials to make a pleasing wall design around your bed was indeed evidence of love for you and of his wonderful and generous spirit. thank you for sharing.

Morna Crites-Moore said...

That really is sweet.
xo,
Morna