Monday, April 14, 2008

kissed by the sun


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:

Elizabeth said...

My mother would have loved this.

Melissa Lewis said...

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.

pve design said...

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

tyler said...

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.

Anonymous said...

that is a lovely art work.

Arlene,
Silverdale florist

ArchitectDesign™ said...

so talent runs in the family! Beautiful

Tara said...

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

Dana said...

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. :)

littlebyrd said...

Love this painting. It looks like something from a bygone era and is full of sun and happiness. Thanks for sharing the story!

London Calling said...

Lovely! Talent runs in the family in a big way!

please sir said...

Wow...very beautiful and caring.

My Notting Hill said...

love this - really captures the moment

Kwana said...

I love this. Your mama is so talented. It's a blessing that she's passed it on to her children.

Jill said...

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.

TIG said...

It's beautiful--love your description of the work as well.

simply seleta said...

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.

Mrs.French said...

Talented mother, talented daughter...some families have the gift.

Eileen said...

I didn't know mom was an artist too!!! What a beautiful painting.

Style Court said...

Talent runs in your family! What a lovely painting. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Unknown said...

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!

Anonymous said...

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.

Michelle said...

absolutely adorable .... magical..... something to treasure for ever.