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Friday, September 2, 2011

The Daughter

A few days ago I read some of the letters again that my mom wrote to me when I was 18 years old. Her letters are so beautiful and while I read them I remembered everything we did at that time - it was 1978. Although it brought tears to my eyes, it also painted a huge smile on my face.

My mom passed away four years ago, and those letters (I've kept them all) are the biggest treasure I have from her. I can hear her voice when I read them - she wrote the way she spoke, so completely her. She was a wonderful letter writer and I am forever thankful that I grew up in an era when people would still write letters - something you can keep.

It inspired me to create another girl - "The Daughter".


It is a 6x12 canvas, a size I have never worked with before. I discovered that I really like this size, it's perfect for the girls.

Beneath the acrylic paint you can see some written words peeking through - this is a copy of one of those letters from my mom that I adhered to the canvas first. It's a piece of my heart, so to speak, something very personal of myself that I worked into this painting. The words say "She kept her mom forever in her heart". It is still not quite finished, but very close. She will be available in my Etsy shop.

This is also my contribution to this week's Paint Party Friday and Sneak Peek Friday. Please come and visit these talented artists - there is so much inspiration you can get and just some real honest eye candy.

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44 comments:

  1. Lynn CohenSeptember 2, 2011 at 9:13 AM

    this is such a beautiful story Carola...I know your mom would be so proud of you (and was) the collage is wonderful in it's added so very personal touch. And I am sorry for your loss. I agree that the letters are such a treasure.
    I have many from my mother in law as she and I corresponded for years and years before she died. And she saved ALL of my letters to her (boxes of them).

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  2. CindySeptember 2, 2011 at 9:17 AM

    This.is.just.beautiful...

    The words and the girl!

    I hope my daughter remembers me as fondly as you do your mom!

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  3. donnalouiserodgersSeptember 2, 2011 at 9:57 AM

    i agree, letter writing is a neglected art, thank goodness your Mom left you the legacy of written words.

    and if I guess it's up to us to make sure not everything we do is virtual...

    mail me your addie and we'll do something hard copy?

    Dxxx

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  4. Kay L. DaviesSeptember 2, 2011 at 10:03 AM

    Oh, you're right, this size is wonderful for the girls.
    And the letters from your mother — you made me wish I had kept some from mine.
    What wonderful treasures for you.
    — K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  5. Joni NickrentSeptember 2, 2011 at 10:06 AM

    What wonderful memories and a touching tribute to your Mom, beautiful work...my Mom passed away 2 years ago on 8/31 and it was a bittersweet day for sure! I hold the memories dear and close to my heart!POP ART MINIS

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  6. FayeSeptember 2, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    Carola, this is a beautiful tribute to your mother. I love the gorgeous colors. Your painting has a lot of feeling.

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  7. DarlaSeptember 2, 2011 at 12:53 PM

    What a great idea to use a copy of the letter and overlay the painting of the girl. Very nice.

    Darla

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  8. MarcieSeptember 2, 2011 at 1:30 PM

    This is so beautiful..and such a wonderful way for a girl to connect and remember her mother's love.

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  9. Mimi Torchia Boothby WatercolorsSeptember 2, 2011 at 1:39 PM

    I have saved a lot of old letters too, and some of them are from my (fortunately still living)mother. Hers are sarcastic and biting. The letters you describe are more like the ones from my grandmother. I saved every single one of those. I still try to write letters to this day, simply because I love getting them!
    Nice little painting!

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  10. AnnaSeptember 2, 2011 at 2:05 PM

    what a beautiful tribute. Brings a happy smile to my face. I grew up watching my mother paint. I didnt always want to be an artist. But I think I grew into it over the years. I love times painting with my mother. I am so glad you have these treasures from your mother. I cant wait to see it all done!!!

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  11. NettySeptember 2, 2011 at 2:40 PM

    Great story Carola and a special piece of art. Happy PPF, Annette x

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  12. carlareySeptember 2, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    This is just so moving and wonderful. I really like the piece on it's own, but then to know how you incorporated your mother's letters makes it so special.

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  13. carol l mckennaSeptember 2, 2011 at 2:59 PM

    Love your art style and wonderful tribute to your Mom ~ namaste, CArol (Share the Creative Journey) Happy PPF ^_^

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  14. Sally HSeptember 2, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    Your canvas is wonderful! Thank you for sharing your memories of your Mum. Mine passed away eleven years ago when my daughter was three. I think the thing that keeps her in my heart is cooking, and now my daughter and I cook together as I did with my Mum.

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  15. MelisaSeptember 2, 2011 at 4:15 PM

    A beautiful tribute. snf snf

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  16. AnonymousSeptember 2, 2011 at 4:36 PM

    this is a beautiful story and a wonderful painting. I think the idea of putting your mum's letter underneath peeking through makes it so special. It must be a bittersweet comfort to you to be able to read over her old letters and be taken back to all the wonderful years you spent with her.

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  17. ChristineSeptember 2, 2011 at 5:09 PM

    nice work, and you are keeping your mom close to your heart.

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  18. Jen PriceSeptember 2, 2011 at 6:20 PM

    This reminds me to take the time to write handwritten letters to my daughter so she has them when she grows up. I love how you used one of your mom's letters for the background of your piece. It's stunning!

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  19. GlorV1September 2, 2011 at 6:40 PM

    Hi Carola. Happy PPF to you. What a wonderful story and such a great tribute to your mom. You are a good and loving daughter. I'm sure your mom is loving what you did. I like the piece. Thanks for sharing.

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  20. GeckostoneSeptember 2, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    Oh Carola, your painting is so beautiful! It makes me cry thinking of my mom. She is so far away, I miss her. You are right, letters are so nice to keep.They are nice to write too, ya know I miss the days of sitting outside to write a friend instead of inside on a computer,lol! have to admit I have alot more friends on the computer though!!! Happy PPF! Deb

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  21. UnknownSeptember 2, 2011 at 9:04 PM

    this is wonderful. i love that your mom's note is in the background. and the girl's skirt is sooo cute!
    xo
    lynn

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  22. Maria OntiverosSeptember 2, 2011 at 9:58 PM

    Love that size!
    Rinda

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  23. Rosie KaplanSeptember 2, 2011 at 10:48 PM

    Lovely post. Yes I miss letters too. I still have some from my Mum also.

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  24. ChantalSeptember 2, 2011 at 11:50 PM

    such a gift to have this talent

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  25. Marianne@RuffHavenSeptember 3, 2011 at 12:58 AM

    I love this...It's so heartwarming to here you speak of your mom.
    and I hope you don't mind if I "steal" this idea of using a copy of an old letter in a collage.

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  26. FrikoSeptember 3, 2011 at 3:13 AM

    How wonderful for you to have such a treasure to dip into whenever you want. i am sure you will always take comfort and pleasure from your mum's letters.

    And to be able to work them into your art is even better.

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  27. La Vie QuotidienneSeptember 3, 2011 at 7:27 AM

    Oh Carola this is just beautiful...everything about it from the thought and the memories to the image. She would be so pleased. (-:

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  28. Kristin DudishSeptember 3, 2011 at 12:35 PM

    It is so wonderful that you have all of those letters - there is definitely something so magical about holding a handwritten letter in your hand!

    I love that you used a copy of one of the letters for the background - it makes this painting even more meaningful :)

    xo
    Kristin

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  29. Robin Norgren, M.A, R-YT, Spiritual DirectorSeptember 3, 2011 at 3:11 PM

    This is so lovely Carola and congrats on finding a size canvas you enjoy. And yes indeed a treasure to have your mom's letters to you; AN INCREDIBLE BLESSING.

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  30. SHERI COOKSeptember 3, 2011 at 4:52 PM

    What a meaningful work this week. Cherish those written words. Happy PPF!

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  31. honeySeptember 3, 2011 at 6:20 PM

    i start every day writing a letter or a postcard to someone! i still love the hand held letter :-) love your tribute to your mom and the colors of your soul that you put into it.

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  32. jacquelineSeptember 3, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    Dearest sweet Carola, this is sucha beautiful and very inspiring story of your mama. Those letters are such treasures and this piece is just so beautiful and very meaningful. Have a lovely merry happy sunday and love to you!

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  33. ger chouinardSeptember 4, 2011 at 1:13 AM

    Carola: I LOVE this piece! I could be that girl! Miss my mom still so much. LOVE including old pics of her in my mixed media work. EXCELLENT job! Happy PPF

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  34. Bren Graham ThebeauSeptember 4, 2011 at 5:55 AM

    So much richness and meaning to this piece, great stuff. What a treasure.
    Linking up from Studio JRU

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  35. KellySeptember 4, 2011 at 6:42 AM

    I cried when I read this post. I miss my mom so much; she died three years ago. How lucky, how very lucky you are to have those letters! And I love this painting. Just beautiful. Happy memories, my friend.
    Kelly

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  36. Cynthia SchelzigSeptember 4, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    ahhhh I really like this piece...nice colors and love the saying!

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  37. VictoriaSeptember 4, 2011 at 8:46 AM

    Carola..hugs..what a super beautiful creation in honor of your mom! Powerful and heart-touching..and very inspiring!
    Wonderful!
    Victoria

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  38. Jennifer {Studio JRU}September 4, 2011 at 10:55 AM

    What a beautiful piece, in image and meaning. How wonderful that your mom wrote you letters and that you have them now as such a treasure. I love that you used one in the background!

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  39. TheresaSeptember 4, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    She is so lovely as is her message.

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  40. Karen IsaacsonSeptember 4, 2011 at 4:29 PM

    Visually, this is already such a nice piece. I love the textures, I love her clothes, I love her sweet smile. And then to learn about the letter in the background *sigh*
    lovely work!

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  41. UnknownSeptember 4, 2011 at 10:49 PM

    This is just lovely Carola~ such a sweet memory of your mom, and a beautiful expression of mother daughter love! Beeeee autiful!

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  42. scrapwordsmomSeptember 5, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    I love your memory and the beautiful girl you created!!

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  43. Carrie MartinezSeptember 6, 2011 at 11:06 PM

    So lovely!

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  44. EVASeptember 7, 2011 at 5:51 PM

    What a wonderful piece with such great meaning!

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Thanks for stopping by. I'd love to hear from you!