I'm going to grandma's house!
I have fond memories of many happy hours, indeed years spent in the wonderful adventure that was my grandparent’s home as a child. Living on the banks of the Tweed River in Murwillumbah, NSW, the house was a typical ‘Queenslander’, high off the ground (5 feet, as my mum could walk under it, as could we…what an Aladin’s cave that was!), with generous verandahs on all sides.
Leading up to the entrance and front door was a sweep of stone steps.
And guarding the front of the house were a row of Laurel trees, giving it’s house its name.
This sketch of the front hedge-lined path to ‘The Laurels’ was done for my mum’s birthday. This was her childhood home.
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I have just read a most wonderfully evocative poem Grandma’s home by Nicole here on Red Bubble which sits beautifully with my own memories of another grandma.
I'm going to grandma's house! belongs to the following groups:
Complex Simplicity of Art, All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical, Art Inspired by Dreams, Live, Love, Dream: , Pencil Drawing (2 per 24 hrs), Rural NSW and Safe Haven Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters
SharonD
This is great Jan. The path leads you in.
Jan Stead JEMp... replied
Thanks Sharon…I guess that’s what I was trying for. Glad it worked.
Tara Sheffer-A...
Lovely sketch!
Jan Stead JEMp... replied
Thank you so much Tara.
Posting this, or any of my sketches or artwork, on a website like this is a massive step for me.
For most of my life I have hidden, thrown out or abandoned my sketching etc., being my own mega toughest critic.
KazM
Jan I so understand your feelings about posting your work. My drawings were hidden in a filing cabinet till 4 years ago when I got breast cancer, then I put them into a book case and now I have graduated to RB.
This image reminds me of both my grandparents Qld house and the one I lived in with my husband and young daughters in the 80’s.
Your sketch is so inviting, detailed and evocative
Jan Stead JEMp... replied
So glad you’ve got your drawings uut and dusted off the gathering cobwebs & dust to share them with all of us on RB, following your impressive foray into paper publishing!!
Well done.
Glad this sketch brings back memories for you too.
C J Lewis
Wonderful sketch Jan. As SharonD said “the path leads you in”. Also love the touch of tree branch at the top…good balance of the overall. Look forward to seeing more of your sketches…you are very good :)
Jan Stead JEMp... replied
CJ,
Thank you for your kind words and affirmation.
It’s funny, but the ‘touch of tree branch’ while I also like it and found an accidental balance had emerged, was only part of an originally intended whole or completed work. But when I rediscovered this hiding in one of my many sketchbooks some years after drawing it, I was a bit stunned and decided I liked it as it was.
EnVee
nice art work! very good pov :)
Jan Stead JEMp... replied
Thank you Nancy. My grandfather was a keen photographer…[see my profile]... and actually took the photo this drawing was taken from. So I think the credit for the pov belongs to him
Bev Woodman
Wonderful work Jan – can we have more please?
Jan Stead JEMp... replied
Ummm…I’ll have a shot, but this was done a few years ago when I was ‘in practise’ and drawing much more than I have been.
It might take me a while to get back to that..
So, don’t hold your breath.
Interestingly enough, I found it languishing in one of my many sketchpads, not having thought it was any good when I did it.
I then gave it to my mum for her birthday.
: )
Bev Woodman
I bet your mother loved it and treasured the thought that you were the artist. My late Dad used to sketch with charcoal but unfortunately I only have one of his sketches done when he was 12 years old (probably in 1922) on the back of some old wallpaper – its a comic theme and he signed it with his address at the time -worth a million dollars to me.
Jan Stead JEMp... replied
Thank you Bev. That makes me think about handing things onto my own kids…maybe I should stop throwing things out and keep at least a few for them in years to come.
But how wonderful you have such a precious possession, a very personal memory of your dad.
: )
Bev Woodman
Jan being a family researcher (genealogist) and keeper of my family’s history I treasure anything from my ancestors and encourage all people to document their lives, dig into their past and preserve this history for future generations.
Jan Stead JEMp... replied
Oh, I may have to bm you on this…a fascinating and vitally important, though oft neglected work.
Thank you.
: )
Bev Woodman
Any time Jan!
PJ Ryan
Beautiful and so full of lovely memories .. thank you for the link .. i’m so pleased my writing has reached you !!
Jan Stead JEMp... replied
OH yes…definitely!
It just recalled so many wonderful childhood days at this home you see above you.
So thank you!
The favour has been returned, I know.
: )
RoxyLust
such beauty i felt my eyes wondering down the path as though i were in the secret garden :) xx
Jan Stead JEMp... replied
My goodness Roxy, your words are so lovely! Thank you. That you responded this way to a simple sketch is almost overwhelming and most certainly flattering! ; )
J…....xx
: )
Nathan Walraven
Wow, very beautiful!
Jan Stead JEMp... replied
Thank you Nat! I’m so glad you like it…it was a very special part of my childhood and a magical place.
If I have managed to translate any of that with pencil on paper, then I am thrilled.
: )
Tony Ryan
Think many childhood memories are so powerful to remember. Having said this all memories can be empowering so long as we embrace them for learning.
Jan Stead JEMp... replied
I agree with you Tony. I’m fortuante to have some pretty positive ones, which are great and have informed my life. From my grandmother I learnt many things which I have embraced and used to live my life the best way I can.
So, certainly my memories connected to this place and the people who lived there are strong, powerful and empowering!
Thank you for your insightful comment.
: )