Lacking a Creative Title: Favorite Family Art

Although my parents and I have very different taste in home decor – sometimes I think my parents are shocked and maybe horrified at how “weird” my taste is – I have to say my parents have *good* taste.  Their house is cluttered, because they downsized homes but didn’t quite downsize their possessions as equally, but between their collection of oriental rugs, classic and antique furniture, and pretty art the house still looks pretty darn good.

During my Thanksgiving visit to my parents’ house I was inspired to share some photos of my favorite paintings.

The first four were painted by an artist who was friends with my grandmother (mom’s side).  I think they were friends in retirement age, when both ladies were living down in Palm Beach in the 70’s & 80’s. I have two of her paintings that my mom didn’t love as much, but my mother still has the other three from my grandma’s collection.

Not every painting is necessarily a masterpiece worthy of hanging in a gallery, but I’d take a pretty and “real” painting any day over a poster or print of a masterpiece.

I love the moonlight feel of this painting below, and the touches of Spanish moss on the trees. But the best part?  The little raccoon.

Now this one is my absolute favorite of the entire set. I’m not sure my photo accurately captured the colors – it doesn’t do it justice. In person, the colors of the sky are just glowing slightly, really evoking the feel of a sunrise on the water in a fishing town.  It’s absolutely gorgeous. And the gold frame was the perfect pairing for it, I think.

This final painting is by a totally different artist, this time a friend of my grandfather (dad’s side).  My grandpa lived most of his retirement in Asheville, NC where he and his wife participated in the Senior Olympics.  I think my grandpa was active past the age of 95? It was amazing.  He was so proud of all his medals.

Anyway, when he and his wife started to have some health issues (he was in his late 90’s), they had to move to Chicago to be close to family.  He and his wife were reluctant to leave their community, which I totally understand.  Not to mention the change from southern to northern weather!  A going-away party was thrown, and one of the other Senior Olympians presented my grandparents with this painting:

I think his arm is back because he’s in the middle of playing one of the “senior games.”   Such a great way to remember him!

Does your family have any art that you love, or which holds great memories?