My Great Grandfather Nicholas

Here's another picture that I probably made at the same time as the one with me and my sister below. This one , also yellowed, is harder to see because the original picture was already very old when I photocopied it in my youth. My great grandfather was also in old age in this picture.

My great grandfather was an artist and sculptor. He lived in Tula, Russia.Tula is the wrought iron factory town outside of Moscow. They made their canons there, and their samovars. For those who may not know, a samovar is for making tea. It is made out of some kind of metal-  brass, silver, etc.  - In the center is a cylinder where you put coals to heat the water. There is a 'spicket' to turn the very hot water off and on. You will now see plug -in samovars  all over Russia. The Russians love their tea. 

Does anyone own a samovar? I'll try to post pictures of the ones I have. One is very old and beautiful. It was my Mom's and resides in my dining room. I have three, so that I can bequeath one to each child. Seeing how our children love vintage items and antiques, I'm sure that they would all enjoy the oldest. But  all three of our samovars have some age and are beautiful in and of themselves.

Lydia and Nina-Childhood Artwork

Ok. So this is a very early picture of my sister, Nina, and me, that I made years ago. I'm the cuter one on the right. (Sorry Nina, my blog:) Te-He). Also the baby of the family. You can see that the shellac has yellowed with time.

I would glue photocopies onto painted cardboard, cork,  or other items, and make stands for them, or hang- mostly on the walls of the stairs going down to our basement, or give as gifts.This one had a stand which has since broken off. I just found it in something the other day.

 Often, I would collage a number of photos. I would then go down to my Dad's office, which also doubled as the workroom in the basement, and shellac over the picture or collage. I might also go outside , or in the garage to apply the stinky stuff. But, for quickies, yes, I used those chemical applicants in my basement, hoping that the smell wouldn't give me away. As long as I put back in its proper place what I had removed, I was able to use almost anything there.

I would also go to my grandfather's house and scavenge wood, trim, or other items to work on yet another project. My grandfather, like so many people of his generation,  was a jack of all trades. He could always figure out a way to do something. He was always working on something, whether it be shoes, a frame, a decorative radiator cover, or whatever else was requested or he needed. 

 Do you  have any old artwork from your youth?

No. 1

So here's my oldest, Alex. Isn't she a beauty? :) I'm not partial or anything:) She's the one on the right, in a picture with her best friend Kerry. They're both such beautiful and wonderful young women.

A true artist by nature, art has always soothed Alex's soul and balanced her. With college, committees that she runs/helps to run  on campus..., work, a boyfriend, and a social life she's quite the busy gal.

 She's always making the most wonderfully personalized collaged photo cards for everyone's b-day or special event. And she's always making gifts or cookies, or something to give to others.

 Last year on my 50th she totally organized a surprise party that blew me away. How she got the others to not open their usually chatty mouths I'll never know. (And I'm a natural detective-ie- I don't look for clues, they just pop right in front of me:)  ) And of course the invite was a beautiful collage piece that she made. A truly astonishing, phenomenally hard working, and giving young woman- always, always  thinking of others.

New Watercolor Art Blog

My No. 2 daughter just recently started her art blog. She hasn't posted much yet, but she's quite creative and has an unusual eye. Her banner(the 2nd pic.) is one of her watercolors with my Mom's  adorning roses(now in our garden) . The Brown Cow she speaks of is my favorite yogurt, with cream on top. Strawberry and Maple are my favorite flavors. Yum! Just click  to view. Anyone tried Brown Cow ?     If so, what do you think?                       

      Russian: Brown Cow

Danita Art: I love her work!

I love her  pictures.If you don't already know her artwork, go visit Danita and her art work.  The colors are vibrant, and her folkart is darling!   Just click to view-

Danita Art: PFATT Marketplace update

Coming Home to Life's Hecticness

Every day has been taken up with essentials-ehhh!

... Little bits and pieces of art at night... Tonite I finished up with some tiny watercolors that I had sketched years ago. Started to cut them out to use in other art work, turned the page , and saw that I was cutting up my little story/book  that I've had for a few years that I want to illustrate!!!

 Had to piece it all together like a puzzle. Tomorrow I recopy the page, then continue the cutting.

Has anyone ever done something so silly to something that meant so much to you?

Off to the beach...

.. Ocean City and Asseteague Island to see the wild horses.....later-la