Sunday, November 22, 2009

Storytelling

Thanks to all of you who left those wonderful comments on my last post. A few months ago I was very down on blogging and often didn't want to make the effort to post anything. I'm over that now. I especially appreciate my sister for chiming in. I am going to have Thanksgiving dinner at her house in a few daya and am very much looking forward to seeing my family gathered around the table.
Storytellers I, 31 x 9"

Since I have become an adult, we've lost some people that used to gather around that table. I recall one year, I was absent. I had just moved to Northern Virginia with my husband to be and (for some incredibly misguided reason) we decided to have our own Thanksgiving dinner. We both had new jobs and didn't think we could take the time away. Yeah, I know what you're thinking. Your thinking . . . what the hell were we thinking!!! For the first time in a long time (ever?) both sets of grandparents gathered at my sister's house, along with the rest of the gang. Minus me and hubby. By the following year, my father's mother had died, my mother's father had died, and my mother's mother was not able to get around well at all. I still kick myself. I pretty much disdain turkey and I thought then why go to all of this trouble of packing, traveling, and setting up cat sitting just to eat a darn meal.

I don't think that way anymore. I haven't thought that way since that selfish Thanks"giving" of 1997.
Storytellers II, 31 x 9"

We've since lost others. My sister's lifelong best friend and her family began to join us. Ginny and Louis always had some great stories to tell us. The dining table extended into the living room and shook with our laughter. Ginny died of cancer several years ago and Louis lived until his mid 90s, continuing to join us until his death a couple of years ago.

Medicine Man, 42 x 11"

My twin nieces went to college this year. We are all looking forward to their return and hearing stories about their new lives. I'm assuming that eventually they will bring along significant others to join us. There will also be my 10-year-old niece and my 7-year old daughter and hopefully our friend's son to throw some testosterone in the mix. No teeny ones in the group now, though. I'm guessing (hoping) that that's still a few years off.

Wise Women, 42 x 11"

My parents are now in their 80's. Over the past few years, they've begun to regale the family with some old stories. I'm looking forward to a few new ones this year, and hopefully they will repeat a few of our favorite oldies. I'm looking forward to laughing so hard I cry.

Can't say I'm really looking forward to the turkey, though.

But, just to be there, I'd eat an old shoe if I had to.


And now (you knew it was coming ), the commercial part of this post: all of these pieces are now on Etsy.

6 comments:

p said...

these are all such strong, striking pieces together kim, i would wish that someone buy them all at once!
as for the big family get together...i disdain that myself and can't comprehend or understand the joy in it all, but i DO wish you a good one and enjoy!!!! sounds like you all really love and appreciate each other so get all busy with it!!!

ArtPropelled said...

We don't have thanksgiving here but every christmas there seems to be another empty space or two at the dinner table. New people come into the family so the numbers don't decrease but we certainly miss those who aren't there any more. I could do without the turkey too :-)

layers said...

Sounds like your family Thanksgiving gathering reflects the cycle of life--

M said...

Kim,
These pieces are wonderful. They are dynamic and beautiful and the fall colours add warmth to them. The variety in imagery is very appealing. I so love pattern and colour and textiles of every kind. I hope you had a good family weekend. Our Thanksgiving is in October and getting together is very important in our lives that are often too busy to appreciate the smaller things.

lori vliegen said...

i love your new artpieces, kim!! and you probably won't be surprised to hear that i noticed those fabulous hand images in each piece!!! i'm glad that you'll be able to spend thanksgiving with your family this year....and i hope that you decide against eating that old shoe! :))

Ellen said...

Have a wonderful time! I'm a little envious. My blood family is across the country, family gatherings are always my husbands small family if everyones available, if not, just us.

You would pass up even the tastiest Manola Blahnik's if you had my turkey, I'm sure of it.