George's Miss Conduct II

I've been lucky enough to have two strong mentors in my creative life, and how interesting... they're both named Cheri.

I've often mentioned my painting mentor Cheri W.  Today I'm thinking of how much I owe to Cheri O. who I consider to be my writing mentor. We taught fourth grade literacy together, participated in the National Writing Project together, and taught taught a summer writing institute for teachers together.  She helped me to discover and develop the writer within myself and taught me to be an encourager of writers.  

Although she moved to the other side of the country for many years, she's always been a forever friend. And.... she's moving back!

She texted me that she wanted two paintings and that they'd be the first ones she'd hang in her new place.  First she wanted one she had seen in my Etsy store. 

I have to say that this was a very special painting to me.  I didn't list it for sale for a long time, and I've loved having it on my own wall.  That's my farmers' market on my town's square, and that couple in the middle just might look a bit like me and my husband.  I thought I'd be so sad when/if it ever did sell. But, no!  I'm thrilled that it will be on her wall! (I went back to the post I wrote about it 6 years ago.  How appropriate the I compared it to writing a story on canvas.)

She also asked me to re-create a bigger version of a symbolic painting I'd done a few years ago.  The boat had been built by her dear friend, and she'd be moving here to move into the house that had been his.  She wanted it to hang on the wall in his memory.

I'd be happy to do that.

It honors me that she'd ask.

I do love the honor (and the pressure) of an important commission.  And, more than a few times, I've agreed to take on something then wondered how on earth I'd manage to pull it off.

Here are the references I had to work with.

I love that I got to have a part in preserving this memory.

Original Oil Painting on 10"x 20" Wrapped Canvas.

[SOLD]

George's Miss Conduct

Sometimes the hardest part of a painting done as a memorandum is choosing just the right image... one that reminds... one that causes a happy memory to come to the surface... one that brings a smile.

A dear friend asked me to paint two of this type of painting recently.  I asked her if she'd like to write the post for them.  Click HERE to see the first.

Here is the second:

Since the pandemic began months ago, life has seemed more fragile than ever before. Finding a gift for a special family member or friend has become a quest. I "need" to give a gift that will be a lasting symbol of our relationship or a treasured memory. Helen's willingness to listen to each story attached to my photos has provided a way for me to satisfy this need. 

I have a loyal, longtime friend, Rita, who has survived two recent losses of loved ones. I wanted to give her an image to spark a positive memory for each of them. Helen suggested painting an object reflecting a life passion for each. Perfect! 

The red whitewater boat named Miss Conduct was built by Rita's long time partner, George, and a friend of his. The passion of rafting big whitewater rivers out west is shared by Rita. Helen did justice to the photo by carefully gathering information on each part of the photo. What color is this or that? Whose truck is in the background...what model? Revisions, revisions that led to just the right image. Creativity coupled with patience and a desire to get it right led to an amazing memory painting.

It was a pleasure to work with her to make these gifts just right.

Original Oil Painting on 6"x 12" Wrapped Canvas
[SOLD]