Several years ago, my mother painted this water-color of three of her toe head grandchildren, Christian, Alexandra, and Amelia - my daughter on the right. Many people refer to blondies as "toe-heads." This phrase or name was coined in the 19th century and "toe" is actually from the word "tow" meaning a flax, hemp, golden fiber. I love this painting, the way the light shines on these little angels and the way they are standing so close and in awe of the flowers. The flowers are playful and simple while the children look to be on the verge of making mischief and picking these flowers yet waiting for the green light from their Grandma.
My mother has always had a contemporary way of capturing children and to me this painting embraces the "toe-head" magic. It is as if they were kissed by the sun, a color that every salon would like to have in a bottle.
22 comments:
My mother would have loved this.
Oh wow, that is so cute. It makes it even more precious knowing the story behind the painting. I'm sure it felt so good as she painted this, it just warms the heart.
enc -
yes - every year I cherish the work my mother gave me more and more.
melissa,
you would enjoy my mother, she is lit from within.
thanks for your heartfelt comments.
patricia
love the story and the great bit of info. on 'toe-heads' as in 'tow'. who knew?! my grandmother painted and we too have cherished portraits handed down. what would we do without our mothers...and our mothers' mothers... wonderful that you inherited the gift and talent.
that is a lovely art work.
Arlene,
Silverdale florist
so talent runs in the family! Beautiful
Patricia
How gorgeous is this--so light filled! And the nice part is they are captured in time as we both know it all goes too fast!
My daughters are towheads, my son not (frustrates him!) and when I go to the salon I bring a daughter with me and say, "Here's the color I want!" A live sample! Ha-ha!
:0)
Tara
Beautiful painting and the backstory makes it even more special. I have a couple of painters in the family, but alas, none of that talent trickled down to me. :)
Love this painting. It looks like something from a bygone era and is full of sun and happiness. Thanks for sharing the story!
Lovely! Talent runs in the family in a big way!
Wow...very beautiful and caring.
love this - really captures the moment
I love this. Your mama is so talented. It's a blessing that she's passed it on to her children.
What a beautiful painting...it's so sweet! Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving me a comment so I could find yours...it's really lovely.
It's beautiful--love your description of the work as well.
Ah-ha! Artistic talent runs through rampant in the family. Such a happy post for our upcoming spring.
I too have a toe-head [youngest] which is surprising given my black hair.
What a treasured pic to have from your mother.
Talented mother, talented daughter...some families have the gift.
I didn't know mom was an artist too!!! What a beautiful painting.
Talent runs in your family! What a lovely painting. Thanks for sharing it with us.
what an amazing painting. you can feel her love. and now i know where tow head comes from. your encyclopedic knowledge never ceases to amaze me!
I adore this painting. And I'm so glad you offered the tidbit about the term "toe head"
I read that line and wondered to myself silently before being quite relieved to notice next that you had set us all straight.
absolutely adorable .... magical..... something to treasure for ever.
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