Painting with Grandma

The recent loss of my grandma has been hard for me. All my spare moments have been in reflection of our relationship. My grandma was tough on me; I've mentioned that to people before when talking about her. She never hesitated to let me know when I wasn't my best self. I know that she did that out of love and because she just wanted what she thought was best for me, but when you are young you never get it. My recent revelation has been how much like her I am.

My grandma was so many things. She was eccentric, creative, and weird. She was an artist, a seamstress, a teacher, a dancer (proof of that here), a healer, a writer, and a visionary. I always knew these things about her, but I didn't really appreciate them until I was grown.

Award winning china painting by Donna Thewlis

My grandma was my first art teacher. She taught me everything I know about art and being creative. I remember being very young, probably 9 or 10, learning to watercolor on vellum. When grandma taught someone to paint she didn't just show them how to use the medium. She showed them how to really see what they were painting or drawing. She would point out how the light danced on the object and where the shadows would fall. She always made you aware of the tiny, unnoticeable details. The gift was if you paid attention to that training. 

When I was around 14 she taught me how to air brush. Here's a picture of that rolled up canvas; 19 years later and I still have it! And yes, its a painting of the band Hanson. I was a little obsessed with them when I was in junior high.

The best memory I have of painting this with my grandma is that she also listened to that teeny bobber music with me while we worked and she really got into the lyrics and discussed them with me. There was always more to learn from her than just how to paint.

Grandma made sure I was exposed to all sorts of creative arts and people. One time she took me to a friend's studio to try glass sagging. My mom still has the pieces my sister and I did. I went on many studio tours with her before I could drive and for my birthday she always took me to the dinner theater. The arts were important to her and she shared that love with who ever would listen. It just so happened that I loved the arts too and was a willing participant.

Now, because of the time my grandma invested in me, I look at things and see their potential. Her time mentoring me through art showed me how to think creativly about everything and I am eternally grateful.

With the passing of my grandma, the art community has lost one of the greats and I have lost someone to paint with. Or have I?....

My grandpa has allowed me to come to grandma's studio and pick out some of her supplies. I am also going to grab one of her unfinished art pieces. With her brush in hand, I'm going to paint with her one last time by completing that piece. Goodbye for now, grandma. See you in the studio.