It was such a beautiful day I thought I’d take Mom out to the garden to photograph her. She’d like that. She always had a beautiful garden and loved color. Can you tell by looking at the photograph? She sewed her smock and crocheted the afghan behind her. She’s pictured with a ball of yarn in one hand and her sweet Collie, Lady, in the other. This is how I grew up – gardens, color, art, and a sublime affection for large, fluffy dogs.
Mom was a true artist. She had a gift. The photo below is one of Mom’s paintings – acrylics on myrtlewood. Her work was quite in demand and sold all over the world. She supplied artwork to several myrtlewood shops in the area and was paid a pittance. The money wasn’t as important to her as the art.
I could never aspire to this, but she’s always been my inspiration.
I wish she were here so I could thank her for giving me everything I value most highly. You did a good job, Mom. It took 58 years, but I think I might finally be on the right track.
Happy Mother’s Day!
What a heartwarming story Leslie! Your Mom's art is beautiful and now we all know where you inherited your fabulous talent from! As they say, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree... :)
ReplyDeleteThe picture of you and your pets is wonderful and one I'm sure you will cherish!
Thanks for sharing Leslie. Your mom was a wonderful artist. I lost my mom in 1999 and still miss her, she would have been 90 on May 11 so I have a double whammy this time of year with her BD and mother's day. I still miss her too. She was a knitter and made sweaters I still have, knit personalized Christmas stockings (over 400 of them, sent all over the world) taught my daughter to knit when she was 4. I never liked to knit but my daughter has her knack now, I wish my mom could see the things she's knit. Oh and the picture with her and Lady, made me think of my mom too. They lived on the family farm and my brother's collie, Laddie would go to their house to 'hide' from work, he was the cattle dog a when he got older, wanted to rest and not work as much. I miss old Laddie too. Happy Mother's day.
ReplyDeleteHi Leslie
ReplyDeleteYour words touched me today !
Thanks for sharing your memories! It was a beautiful start to Mother's Day. In the picture, I noticed the 'paw hug' from Wally and I'm sure there are plenty of kisses from Lulu to tell you, happy 'mom' day, today too.
ReplyDeleteWell, I can certainly see where your coloring talent comes from - your eye was well trained from infancy! Your mom's artwork is absolutely gorgeus. I'm in awe. Coleen dabbled in tole painting before I knew her, and would have loved to see this. Thanks for sharing your mom with us in this special, wonderful tribute. Missing my mother today also. Linda
ReplyDeleteYour mom's artwork on myrtlewood is beautiful, I found flowers quite a difficult subject to paint but she was obviously a talented lady and captured them well. What a lovely thing to have from her, painted by her own hand, bringing lovely memories for you I'm sure. I still miss my mum too, she loved her family and the various pets we had when I was growing up, from dogs and rabbits to tortoises, birds and fish. She passed away 7 years ago, like yours she was always creating, baking, crocheting and mainly knitting. I didn't learn crocheting though she did teach me to bake and knit, but I don't have patience, I've been knitting the same scarf for over a year, lol. 3 or 4 rows done then it gets put away for another few weeks.
ReplyDeleteLeslie - it's clear to see that your Mom was an extraordinary woman. It's also plain to see that the apple didn't fall too far from the tree, either. Thank you for sharing a glimmer of your Mom today. Her artwork is breathtaking, as is yours. By the way, I adore the frame that holds your sweet Mom's photo and the fact that you photographed it in your garden. Happy Mother's Day to you.
ReplyDeleteYour mother's Art work is stunning.Love the photo of her and her collie [ beautiful dog].I would have loved to be able to paint but have not got the talent for it.I lost my dad 5 years ago and I still talk to him even though he is not here i feel he is with me at times.Thank you for sharing your mum with us.Happy Mother's Day. Take care Hazelx
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to your mom, and to moms everywhere. I've been in awe of your talents and now I know you have the genes! Some of us are so fortunate to have had wonderful and caring parents. My mother was very creative but had few resources to spend in that way. She made me a wonderful monkey outfit, complete with stand-up tail, for a costume dance and I won a prize. One of my few pictures of her is in the yard after back surgery with a trowel in one hand and her cane in the other! Thank you for sharing, Leslie. Happy Mother's Day and every day to you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tribute to your mom! I can see where you get your talent from. Her myrtlewood art took my breath away! Have you ever thought to use it as inspiration for a card? And then there is the picture of your mom and Lady. Her Lady looks just like the collie that lived across the street when I was growing up. And that collie's nsme was Lady too. Lastly, I must tell you how must lqlI love the photo of you and your pups.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tribute Leslie, and I agree, you definitely come by your artistic talent honestly! I very much enjoy your blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing your story about you and your Mom! I'm sure she watches over you and sees how much you have accomplished. I know where you get your artistic talent = I so enjoy your blog! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteLeslie....this was beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with us. I do so enjoy your blog. I love the cards, I love the flowers, I especially love your pets!
ReplyDeleteWhat a Lovely story you shared today, it truly touched my heart. Your Mom's painting is so, so lifelike... but then you know that. I'd have to touch it if I were any closer for sure. Mother like Daughter for sure!
ReplyDeleteAgain thanks for sharing and give the kids a hug from me and Belle too!
Leslie, what a lovely pic of you and "the kids". And what a lovely tribute to your
ReplyDeleteMom. It's very apparent that you come by your creative talent naturally. Your
mother's work is beautiful. Hope you have a beautiful Mother's Day and give "the
kids" a big hug from me, won't you?
Sherry in MI
Leslie, thank you for sharing you Mom's story with us today. I, too, see my Mom in myself. Not only in my looks, but in my thoughts and in my heart. She's been gone 20 years now and I miss her every day. Blessings to you today! Judi Harvey
ReplyDeleteLeslie, thank you for sharing such a beautiful tribute to your beautiful Mom!!! Why am I not surprised to read of your Mom's magnificent talent for painting, her love of gardening & sweet gentle dogs. Hmmm... Like Mother, like Daughter. You know she's watching over you & is no doubt beaming over the talented lady you are today!! Hope your Mother's Day is most enjoyable & you're showered with love & affection from ALL your family members the ones with fur & without!!!
ReplyDeleteLeslie, thanks for sharing your beautiful tribute to your Mom. It's easy to see where all your talent comes from, as well as your love of the garden and your furry kids. My Mom passed in 2009 and boy, what a pistol she was! She taught me to be my own person, and to never let anyone take my identity from me. Do things for others she said, but not so much that there's no room left for yourself. As women, we tend to forget that sometimes. She was a singer in the 40's thus, my love of music and the arts. I miss her every day. You do your Mother proud Leslie; you are an awesome person and a gentle soul. God Bless you and your family. And thanks for sharing your life with us.
ReplyDeleteYour Mom was truly a talented artist. Isn't it funny we have to grow so old to really appreciate all the gifts our mother gave us that shape our lives. TFS Ann Lind
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet and wonderful post, Leslie. Your mother sounds like an amazing woman, and I'm thinking you take after her greatly in oh, so many ways! Happy Mother's Day to you.
ReplyDeleteOh wow Leslie, what beautiful, beautiful art your mother created and how fortunate you are to be able it share it. Love your new profile picture.
ReplyDeleteI see you got your coloring talent from your mom indeed, and yes something to always work towards. Beautiful picture of your mom and the frame is perfect. Hope you had a wonderful Mother's day.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely post. The best things in me come from my mother - thanks for reminding me.
ReplyDeleteArt frames our lives in so many ways. A beautiful kaleidoscope of memories that paint a picture of two lovely and creative women. Thank you for sharing part of your heart today. Happy Mother's Day Leslie.
ReplyDeleteoh my...now I see you come by your talent naturally. Your Mom was an awesome painter! Lovely tribute to your Mama!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to your Mother. Her art is exquisite. And Lady could be the twin sister to our first dog, Shamrock.
ReplyDeleteI was touched by your tender tribute to your mother. She sounds like she was a wonderful person. It’s plain to see where you get your art talent and love of animals. What a priceless legacy she passed on to you. I too was blessed with a mother from whom I learned so much and who left me with a love of music, cooking, and many other interests, and most important, great values. Rest in peace, Mum.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful tribute for your mother. Wow she did some beautiful painting, it looks like the talent has been passed down. Mine has been gone for 10 years now, and I still miss her so....
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed hearing about your mom and how she carries on through you. What a wonderful legacy. I love your new blog and seeing Wally and Lulu more often. Thanks for the time you spend in letting us share a small part of your family's life. You're an inspiration of stopping to smell the roses. Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteLeslie, what a beautiful post and fabulous tribute to the woman who influenced you so much. It sure sounds to me like you've found the true spirit of her in yourself. Thanks so much for sharing that with us! And thanks for sharing her gorgeous artwork! No wonder you're SO talented!!! I hope you had a great Mother's Day!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely way to honor your Mother. Her artwork is amazing and her heart sounds golden. She taught you well!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful tribute! She's a very lucky woman to have a daughter like you :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your Mother with us. It was a lovely tribute to her. Her artwork is beautiful, the roses look so delicate.
ReplyDeleteWow Miss Leslie, you Mom sure sounds like she was a remarkable Woman! And it looks to me that you are following right along in her footsteps..8-) Now if the rest of us can just catch up with you, lol, 8-) Cause Your Mom and you both have the right idea for sure.. 8-)
ReplyDeleteBig Hugs
Shannon
A beautiful tribute to your wonderful Mom. Her artwork is amazing and it is so obvious how proud you are of her and her talents. And as some of that talent has passed itself on to you, you too should be very proud of your art.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful tribute to your Mum, Leslie. I love the photograph of your Mum with Lady. Beautiful. The artwork is fabulous and so good!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing.
The last photo of you with Wally and Lulu is wonderful.
A wonderful tribute to a much loved Mom. Her artwork is beautiful, and one can certainly see where you get all your inspiration and love of things beautiful from. Thank you for sharing this with us. Love the photo of you and the "kids"
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to meet your mom, Leslie! She sounds like an amazing person - she surely raised an amazing daughter! x
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