Playlist #14: A Lifetime.

Image via my family photos on Flickr.

Listen via Spotify / Tumblr.

To Lose A Grandpa Twice.

My Grandpa has always been a major part of my life.  From the minute I was born he was sitting with me on the front porch swing, showing me where somebody or other lived on some backroad, or taking me along while he and his friends drank coffee and gossiped.  He loved to tell stories and was always talking.  He never met a stranger.  He is the reason I love auctions, gallivanting, and farm-life.  I grew up viewing him as some larger-than-life being.  Someone who would always be there.  He was my rock, and Superhero.

Fast forward to just a few years ago.  Grandpa started to repeat himself a lot, but he was almost eighty, so we attributed that to old age.  Then when I was pregnant with my daughter he had a series of strokes, and after that he was really changed.  The diagnosis was Alzheimer's and I was stunned.  

No longer could I call and have a conversation with him.  He'd get stuck on the same sentence over and over.  Or even worse, he'd be completely silent.  He grew irritable, moody, and even more quiet.  Who was this man?  What happened to the real Grandpa?  He seemed frail and foreign.  I found myself pulling away.  Protecting myself from the heartbreak.  Putting up a bit of a wall between us. 

My Daughter Joelee and My Grandpa Joe.  (I took this photo just two weeks ago).

My daughter never knew the real Grandpa.  She only knew the Alzheimer's Grandpa.  However, he loved her just as much as the old grandpa would have.  And she enjoyed his company despite his illness.  I got them together whenever I could, but to be truthful I had a hard time being around him.  This shell that used to house this gigantic personality was depressing.  This man I loved with all my heart was replaced with a stranger.  It wasn't fair that he'd been taken away from me.  I was angry that I never really got to say goodbye.

He started to lose weight about a year ago.  He looked sickly.  He was still getting around and going places, but he looked skeletal.  He was silent most visits, only perking up to talk to Joelee, sometimes slipping up and calling her "Julia" thinking she was me.  I was fearing that the adult me was slipping from his memory.

Two weeks ago, it was decided that we'd go to the lake and visit.  My Dad, Grandpa, Uncles, Joelee, and my nephew.  We ate a picnic and took photos.  Grandpa seemed in good spirits, but was having a hard time breathing.  We had a really nice day.  I think that may be one of the few times (other than holidays) that we got together as a group.  Little did I know that'd be the last time I'd see my grandpa.

I got the call last Tuesday that Grandpa had passed away.  It was a relief and a shock.  I'd already lost him once to that awful disease, and now he was gone physically.  It seemed so surreal.  I coped fine at the viewing, but the funeral hit me harder than I was expecting.  So final, so permanent.  For some reason the losing him twice; once mentally and then physically made it easier and harder at the same time.  I was mad that I didn't have the real him these last few years, but glad that perhaps my stepping back had softened the blow of losing him physically.  The man that died wasn't the real Grandpa.  It was Alzheimer's Grandpa.  The parts of him I miss so badly:  the stories, the laughter, the memories, the talks hadn't surfaced for years.  I still have all that in my heart, and that's comforting.  And a bit of comfort is all I can ask for right now.  

Recent Paintings.

Some of my most recent watercolors.  Some of them are still available in the shop.  Click on the links below the images to take you to that particular item in my Etsy shop.

Wiseacre, 1900.

Belgrave Joe, 1900.

Melanie of Goodnestone II, 1907.

Muriel IV, 1907.

Belle, 1904.

Silver Cloud III, 1899.

The Elm.

The Oak.

The Scotch Fir.

Artistic Moment Of The Week: Bow River Valley At Canmore, AB, 1892.

Via Flickr Commons Musée McCord Museum.

Bow River Valley at Canmore, AB, 1892.
Photographed by Alexander Henderson.

52 Lists: Playing Catch-Up.

Found a neat project that I had to jump in on.  I'm a list-maker, so this was right up my alley.  Moorea Seal gives a prompt every week.  The project is on Week 20, so I'm a bit behind, so I lumped a bunch of weeks together in this post.  Perhaps you would want to join in too?

Week One.

Week Two.

Week Three.

Week Four.

Week Five.

 

Week Six.

Words: Joy Kusek Quote.

Beautiful Quote Found via Ché and Fidel.

WINNER!

And the winner is:

To all who entered, or just stumbled across this blog post, please take advantage of the coupon code "GIVEAWAY" to receive 25% off anything in my original art shop!

Artistic Moment of the Week: Couple Seated on Mount Victoria, ca. 1888.

Via Flickr Commons.

Couple seated on Mount Victoria, and Blue Mountains in background, New South Wales, ca. 1888

Bayliss, Charles, 1850-1897.

Part of collection: Collection of photographs of New South Wales, ca. 1876-1897.

A Whole New Me!

Got my long-fronted pixie like I wanted.  Can't believe how much it changed my looks.  Add that to my newly re-found fit body and a new-to-me yardsale wardrobe and I feel like a whole new person!

So happy right now!

--Original Art GIVEAWAY!!--

How would you like some free art?  It might be a portrait, landscape, collage, abstract, and the best part it will be made just for you!  Sound good, then enter the giveaway--details below!

How to Enter:

• Leave a comment with a prompt, theme, or word for me to use as inspiration for your potential work of art. (1 Entry).
• Like The Gallivanting Girl on Facebook--leave a comment telling me you did. (1 Entry).
• Follow this Blog through Google Friend Connect--leave a comment telling me you do. (1 Entry).

Also please note:

• Make sure you either leave an email, or make sure I can contact you.
• Winner will be announced on the blog Friday May 17th.
• Good Luck!!

Playlist #13: Sunday Morning With Hot Tea & Honey.

Image via Flickr Commons; State Library of Queensland, Australia.

Listen via Tumblr/Spotify.

Words: Erin Wasson.

Via an interview on Into The Gloss.

I'd Wear That: Shade Garden Dress.

Via Anthropologie.

--Playlist #12: Guilty.--

Cover Art via The Commons on Flickr.

Listen Via Tumblr/Spotify.

Artist Interview: Anna Magruder.

This artist is a huge girl-crush of mine.  She uses images from found photos and old yearbooks (much like I do), but she transforms them into the most lovely paintings with such intriguing stories.  I had to stop myself short of posting every single one of her images from her shop.  I'm in love with this first image the most, but they all make me very happy.  Please enjoy this little interview with Anna Magruder.

"Observer - Mediator"

1. Were you always an art kid, or did you stumble upon it later in life?

I have been drawing and creating art for as long as I can remember. My favorite subjects were beautiful girls. I was always trying to draw the perfect dress and shoes and tiaras for my princess-like figures. I was also blessed with encouraging parents who loved to see me immerse myself in art. We had a "Make It" box filled with junk and anything my mom felt could be recycled into art. My brothers and I would get crafty, making cool art out of whatever was in the box.

  

"Coast" and "Entangle"

2. What style of art is your favorite and why?

I love portraiture - especially from the Renaissance era. I am also drawn to unique textures and unexpected color combinations found in abstract work.

"Book of Poems" and "Cheer"

3. What do you use for inspiration, or how do you generate ideas?

I am very inspired by past eras. Past hairstyles and fashions spark my creative juices. I love perusing the faces in old photos and feel a sense of shared humanity with the subjects despite the passing of time. When I am feeling stuck or down, I take a jaunt through my favorite thrift or antique store and feel inspired and curious about the objects around me. I also collect old yearbooks - all eras - and find inspiration in the multitude of faces found in them.

"Shadow Tail" and "Openings"

4. Walk us through your creative process from idea to finished project.

I start a painting by finding a photo or 2 that inspire me. I especially like black and white photos that I can reinterpret with my own colors and ideas. I begin with a sketch on tracing paper, refining it until I have an image I am pleased with. The next step is typically an underpainting of red or burnt sienna on canvas, then I transfer the sketched image and start filling in colors and shading. I allow the painting to morph as needed. I am often pleasantly surprised by the story that presents itself when I am finished.

"In a Man's World" and "Mothers Day"

5. What is a typical day in your life?

As a full-time artist, I am very dedicated to showing up every day to paint. (Every weekday, that is... I value my weekends to re-charge and spend time with my husband and cats.) I start my day with catching up on emails and taking care of admin stuff. When that's done, I move to my painting area and see what calls for my attention that day. I often have 4-8 paintings going on at one time. This gives me the opportunity to decide on what I want to work with that day.

   

"Big Wheel" and "Boardwalk"

6.  What are your interests/hobbies?

I love thrift stores, antique shops and flea markets. I am just starting to get back into rock climbing - which I used to enjoy immensely before an injury kept me from climbing the past 2 years. I love craft fairs and I organize a yearly art & craft sale for Siren Nation every November.

Beautiful Anna in her studio space.

7.  Is this your full time job, or do you have a job out-of-studio?

Art-making is my full-time job.

"Boldness and Grace" and "Stargazer"

8. What is your favorite piece you've ever made and why?

Yikes, I have so many favorites! Right this moment, I am digging my most recently completed piece " Métis". It has a whole story behind it regarding the history of Oregon when the trappers settled the area with their Native American wives. The family portrait alludes to the struggle the mixed race (Métis) daughters may have felt. Unlike boys who were typically not accepted into Oregon society, educated Métis girls who downplayed their native heritage had a chance at integrating. However, their Indian heritage was usually ignored by their new families and by generations of descendents.  

Anna's Workspace and "Métis"

9. What advice would you give to an artist just starting out in the business world?

Treat it as a business. Do your research - read books, attend workshops and learn as much as you can about the business of art making.  

Another shot of the studio and old photo albums.

10.  Describe your work space.

This past year I have been fortunate to work in an office space in the historic Portland childhood home of Nobel Prize winner, Linus Pauling. I love the old woodwork and crooked doors. The North-facing windows allow plenty of wonderful sunlight for my workspace.

More Studio shots.

11.  Did you face any setbacks on your path to being an artist?

Quite the opposite. I was a graphic designer for 14 years until I recognized that I was burnt out and not following my path. Once I made the decision to move into art full-time, I found my pathway cleared and doors opening, which to me was confirmation I was on the right path. The most challenging has been when I work extremely hard on a body of work, procure a gallery show for it, then not sell anything in that show. I have learned to look past this and recognize the amazing connections I am making and hear how others are touched by my work through that show. And the work eventually does sell, just not in the venue I was expecting.

Anna Magruder at work.

12.  What milestones, goals, or achievements are you striving for right now?

I am in the process of applying for artist residencies in other states, and hopefully out-of-country at some point. I am realizing the importance of pulling myself out of my comfort zone and allowing for new experiences and explorations to shape my art and to re-energize it with fresh perspective.

  

My favorite image (Anna Magruder at age 3).

Thank you so much for answering the questions for us.  Your work is so inspiring, and I hope my readers are as drawn to them as I am!

Etsy Shop:  http://annamagruder.etsy.com
Website:  http://annamagruder.com

Chow Down: Real Simple's Chicken and Dumplings.

via Real Simple, photography by Charles Masters.

Artistic Moment Of The Week: Sweet Elephant.

Via Flickr Commons.

I'd Wear That: Hair Edition.

I'm wanting to chop all my hair off and go for a simple, easy to care for, haircut for summer.  I've been scouring Pinterest and decided a long-fronted pixie was right up my alley.  Something along these lines:

via Pinterest.

Via Pinterest.

Via Pinterest.