I did some more work on this picture and decided to share the final version with you. I took it too the framers this morning, so now it really is final. I worked more on the sky, particularly the lower left to break up a rather strong diagonal line. I also did a lot more with the trees and lightened the shadow beneath. And of course, did some more work on the poppies.
I thought I’d share what I’ve been going through since last Saturday morning, the day I did the demo. I learned in the morning that my mother had collapsed, probably from a stroke and was in the hospital. I did this demo, not having a clue as to her status, and it all seemed so unreal. When I got home that day, there was a message from my sister Marcia saying that the hospital told her my mother was “brain dead.” But then my sister Carol called and said that my mother knew them, thanked them, and was certainly not brain dead! On Sunday Marcia went in and my mother was cheerful and had regained the use of her right hand. That cheered me up.
Then on Monday, Carol called to say that my mother would have to go to a nursing home. This was the worst thing I could imagine. My mother is 95, but very intelligent, vibrant, and interested in life. I cried all day. But my mother has made wonderful progress and will be going to rehab, then to assisted living. This means having her own apartment AND her cat! She is very happy about it and so are all of us. What a relief. I never thought that the words “assisted living” would sound so good!!!
I will be driving up on Saturday and will visit her most days. I am so thankful for her strength and good nature. She has a lot of therapy ahead of her, but she’s already able to string together many more words. AND –they have equipped her with a hearing device so that now she can hear much more normally. Deafness was the most serious problem she had prior to this. Thanks for “listening” and for all of your support. I wanted to share this with you.
Poppies and Figs, 16 x 20, Pastelbord
Jean,
I’m SO SO sorry to hear of your mother’s health scare. I know you’re coming up or are up for her birthday? I’m sorry, I cannot remember the exact date. I’ll be praying for her as I know how important independence is for our independent moms. Take care and positive thoughts!
pam
Hi Jean,
I feel badly for you, but your mother seems to be so much better than you thought and is bouncing back. We all need our cats!
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Nancy
Picture lovely as finished – adore the shadow area under the tree and those poppies just popping out but even more glad for you that your Mum is going to a decent place where she will feel she has her dignity (and cat). I went through that 6 years ago and it was horrid. Good luck! And, as an aside, I’d be very interested to know how you have chosen to mat/frame the work. Would you include a photo when you get it back? Thanks.
Fiona–I am framing this the way I now frame most of my paintings. I use the Hassam silver plein air frame from Hartford Frames. It’s about 3″ thick. No mat, museum glass. I will be taking this directly to a gallery so I can’t film it for you. But you can see the frame at Hartford fine art.
Fiona–I meant to mention that the frame isn’t really silver. It’s more of a very light gold or “champagne.”
Jean, my heart goes out to you, your sister and your mother at this difficult time. How luck you all are to have had a loving mother-daughter relationship for so many years. You are in my thoughts. Susan
My you come from good genes! How blessed you are that you have had her for so long. So glad she can avoid the nursing home and I pray she has a quick recovery. Thanks for sharing this and your art work process
Marilyn–I am indeed blessed. I think about this every time I leave her. Her mother lived to be 102 and Mama always said she didn’t want to live that long. But we want a few more good years, at least! Thanks.
Hi Jean,
How are you and your mom doing today?
Nancy
Hi Jean,
So sorry to hear about your Mom, but am please she is doing better and will be able to go into assisted living. Also, so please she has been fitted with a hearing devise that enables her to hear almost normally. I remember meeting her at the Falmouth Artists Guild when you were giving a demo. Such a lovely lady. I pray she will continue to improve and will have additional quality life. Praying for you all.
Blessings,
Lillian
Thanks so much Lillian. Yes, she is a lovely lady. I forgot that she came to the demo.