The Paintings on the Wall

Some people buy artwork because they think it is beautiful.  Some people buy artwork because they find it eye-catching and unusual.  Some people buy artwork because the subject matter means something to them.  Some people buy artwork because it is the work of a famous or noted artist.  Some people buy artwork because they personally know the artist.  Some people buy artwork because it matches their decor.  There are really a lot of different reasons people choose the artwork they have displayed in their homes.

All of the above reasons are evident in the artwork hanging on the walls in Mom's family room.  I was looking around the room at each piece on the wall and I immediately thought of the story, or at least the motivation, behind the pictures hanging there.

There are portraits and family pictures in this room, but the main pieces of artwork that adorn the walls not only all match the decor, but they have a bit of interest that goes beyond that particular aesthetic.

Marc Chagall is a famous artist.  In fact, he was one of the most successful artists of the 20th century.  He created works in virtually every artistic medium including painting, book illustrations, stained glass, stage sets, ceramics, tapestries, and fine art prints.  Over the mantel, Mom has a Marc Chagall print.  I personally love it, although Mom tells me it has created a bit of "controversy" amongst some people who have visited her home!  The picture is entitled "Lovers Bouquet" and it depicts a couple of 'lovers' with an image of the Eiffel Tower in the background.  I love it because I have it in my mind that Paris is the number one place I'd like to visit on my "bucket list."  My husband promises Paris in the Springtime, and I know as soon as he can, he will live up to that promise.  I can't wait!  Marc Chagall has a painting entitled "Paris Through the Window."  It is a lovely piece and I could imagine it hanging next to Mom's print.  It is a painting of a cat sitting in a window looking out towards the Eiffel Tower.  It encompasses a lot to entice me.  My desire to go to Paris, coupled with my love of cats....not to mention the beautiful colors and my artistic eye enjoying its composition.   It would be an example of a person being drawn to a piece of artwork because it means something to them.

I think anyone could find a Marc Chagall piece to fit into their home.  His works are so varied and interesting.   I see a lot of the artistic examples in Mom's print evident in many of his innumerable works.    I think part of this is due to the fact that his lifespan was July 6, 1887 to March 28, 1985.  That is a long life and an artist could certainly create many long-lasting pieces during that time.

Mom has 2 watercolors on another wall in this room.  I love these pieces.  They represent many things to me.  I think the best thing about these watercolors is the way they were attained.  
We were attending a formal gala at Cleveland Country Club to benefit the Heart Association.   My Mom was there and Jim and I were there.  It was a wonderful event for a wonderful cause.  They had an auction to help raise money for the charity.  I never have much luck at these things, but there was a framed watercolor that I loved.  When it came to the auction block, I had Jim bid on it for me.  We were getting frustrated as someone across the crowded room was bidding against us.  Determined and stubborn, we finally won the  bid and I was a happy camper.  A little while later another watercolor came up for auction.  It was obviously by the same artist with the same theme and framing.  We bid on this for awhile but finally gave up to the person across the room who again kept out-bidding us.

The next day we went to visit Mom and were discussing the lovely event from the night before.  We shared with her our excitement over the watercolor painting we bought at the auction.  She told us she got a watercolor painting as well!  Lo and behold, we realized the person across the room who had given us such a fit during the bidding was my own mother!  We laughed about it and realized that the Heart Association just got a little extra money which it richly deserved.

Jim and I often have trouble thinking of gits for Mom .  She has all that she needs and her own generosity seems boundless.  I always try to be creative, as Mom doesn't want or need material possessions.  This was one time Jim and I decided that we would give her our watercolor since it matched hers.  It was a great idea and she was thrilled.  It made us feel good to be able to give something to Mom that she would love and appreciate.  The two paintings look fantastic hanging together in her family room.
It was definitely a win win situation!

Mom has so many wonderful things in her house.  She has another painting in this room that I love.  It rates up there as one of my favorite things in her home.  It is a painting of a Grandpop and a boy walking down a path.  It only shows the backs of them....no faces.  This painting was done by the wife of a doctor that Homer knew.  Mom said she bought this piece because she immediately said it reminder her of Daddy and his grandsons, Joseph and Jimmy.  I loved hearing her say this because I looked at it and that was exactly what I thought!  Daddy didn't wear blue jeans and flannel shirts like the grandpop in the picture, but I don't think that matters.  I think the whole point of the painting is that Grandpops and their Grandsons just have that 'special something!'  I was immediately touched knowing just how much Joe Porter was the  ultimate Grandpop....he loved those two boys more than anyone can comprehend.

Mom told me that she bought the painting for me, but would I mind if it found a home on the wall in her family room for awhile.  Of course, I was happy for it to hang there.  It not only matches the decor and looks fantastic, it adds a bit of nostalgia and memory and I love seeing it whenever I visit.  It feels a bit special knowing that some of my things are a part of this home, since it is not the house I grew up in many years ago!

The largest painting in Mom's house is by far the most interesting and the most meaningful.  It is a painting of Martha and me when we were little.  It was painted by Ginger Spangler, a local artist and friend.  Homer wanted this to be his gift for Mom for Christmas one year.  Martha took care of all the arrangements.  She talked to Ginger and told her basically what we wanted.  Ginger had done some beautiful work for Martha before, so she knew that this was going to be a fantastic gift. 

Martha went through a lot of old photos and chose one of each of us.  The painting is just of our heads as profiles.  It is a lovely piece and Ginger did a great job.  The composition and color are really fantastic.  The painting of Martha is an exact likeness.  I really love it and I remember her that way with her neat little ponytail.  Receiving this gift was a thrill for Mom and it is a beautiful conversation piece in this room. 
Ginger captured the color of the room for the background as well.  Everything about the painting speaks volumes for her amazing talent.  I like to paint, but I could never do anything as fantastic as this portrait!

Mom has artwork on these walls that is beautiful, eye-catching and meaningful.  She has a piece by a famous artist and one by an artist that she knows.  And in spite of all this, all of her artwork matches her decor.  I'd say this is pretty interesting seeing that none of it was planned this way.  Each piece was attained at a different time and from various sources.  I guess Mom just has an eye for beautiful artwork!

I'd say the paintings on the walls can say a lot about the life of the families that dwell within them.

"Lovers Bouquet":  Marc Chagall

Watercolors

Grandpop and Grandson

Martha Jo and Mary Marshall