Pretty Poppies

The Creative Companion challenge was "Red," but I'm not particularly fond of red. I made a list of things that are red that I do like.  Then I turned that list into a little poem for my companion piece.

Red is Just Red

Raspberries, Razorbacks, Rudolph’s nose,

Barns on farms, and boxes with bows.

Chickens’ combs, a cardinal, some cherries,

Ketchup on fries, and small holly berries.

 

Tulips in vases, tomatoes on vines,

A King James version with Jesus’ lines

 

Amaryllis, Anthurium, Gala apples,

Stained-glass panes in old church chapels.

 

A Muppet named Elmo, a melon slice,

A maple in autumn, an on-sale price.

 

The quick zip flash of a hummingbird’s throat,

An A+ grade with the teacher’s nice note

 

Sunsets in summer, stockings in December

Ladybugs, lollipops, and the last burning ember

 

Vermillion, alizarin, venetian, and garnet

Crimson and ruby, rose and scarlet,

Maroon and burgundy, so nearly the same

Red is just red, no matter the name

                                                                            HE

Original Oil Palette Knife Painting on 9"x 12" Wrapped Canvas.

[SOLD]

Hollyhocks for Anne

Before sharing the story of this painting, I have to share the story of its painter and of its owner.
       ... 1991...
When my kids were little, we moved into a cozy little cul-de-sac neighborhood.  We knew some of the neighbors well and some only by sight, but our all kids played on the sidewalks and in the front yards.
       ... 1998...
I was a part of a month long summer institute with National Writing Project.  When the contact information sheet came around on the first day, I noticed that the lady across the room had written the name of my tiny little street on her line. We were neighbors! How did we not know each other! 
       ... next 20 years...
Anne and I immediately became friends. We taught in the same school district. We shared a deep passion for writing and for teaching writing.  Through the National Writing Project, we both taught professional development workshops and led writing institutes for teachers.  My kids attended the junior high where she taught.  
Life happened... We raised our kids. We taught hundreds of other people's kids.  I moved across town.  I started painting.  We both retired. We kind of lost touch.


       ... last month...
There was a 20 year reunion for those of us who'd been active in the National Writing Project.  Not only was it so good to see Anne again, she had a paper in her hand with a little note about something she wanted. She'd been to our by our art show, fell in love with one of the paintings that had sold, and asked if I'd paint another and if I'd make the coloring work with a grouping of Hummels that had belonged to her grandmother.

So...

Why did this painting speak to her?

I asked Anne if she'd tell it in her own words.

     There grow Hollyhocks at the home where we abode, and there came a mighty Rain, with a great Wind, and the Hollyhocks were Beaten Down so that they lay flat. And Keturah said, Behold how they begin to lift themselves again.  And she put her hand under one of them, and lifted it gently, as she would have lifted a little child that had stumbled and fallen, and the Hollyhock stood up.  And she lifted another likewise. And Keturah said, it is even so with Folks. Therefore we made a covenant that as we walk where the storms of life have beaten, we will Lift Up every flower of God that hath fallen, and not trample upon it nor despise it, but seek to make if fit to bloom in the Garden of God.  (William E. Barton Safed the Sage. Paraphrased)  

I shared this parable at the 50th Anniversary of my great aunt and uncle who epitomized this in their lives.  Hollyhocks grew in Oklahoma where I grew up, and Helen's beautiful painting reminds me of my rural home and the lesson of the Hollyhocks.

AL

Lovely words...
     Lovely thoughts...
          Lovely friend... 

 Original Oil Painting on 10"x 20" Wrapped Canvas
 [SOLD]