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Sharing Some Love & Some Art

This week would have been my Aunt Kay’s birthday so it was kind of hard for me since she passed away last year (she lived with me growing up and was sort of like my second mom). She was such a happy and colorful person, and she loved to paint and draw, in fact it was her minor in college. So I decided to do a little watercolor painting with Clara in her honor.

Clara Painting2

I know every mother probably thinks this, but my kid is an artist. Somebody get this girl a beret.

Clara Painting1

The watercolor set came from Target (it was a total impulse buy when I saw it on an end cap – I just loved all of the happy and bright colors). Here’s one of the simple boxy paintings that I did, mostly while marveling at Clara’s creations.

Clara Painting4

Here’s my absolute favorite painting that Clara did. Aren’t the colors gorgeous? I’m her biggest fan.

Clara1web

She also did this one on a smaller piece of watercolor paper that I gave her. She painted it sideways, but when we stood it up we thought it looked like a pink sunset reflecting on the water. See it?

Clara2web

This little Clara creation made me smile when I noticed that the small dot of red looked like a heart. I know it’s probably just a happy accident, but I like to think that she was feeling the love while we painted and I told her stories about her Great Aunt Kay.

Clara3web

Here’s a close up of the boxy little painting I made, which was inspired by this shirt that I saw on Instagram. I just made a few messy boxes in any colors that caught my eye and then cropped it like this.

Sherry2web

I thought it might be fun to hang two of those together, so this could be a second print to hang next to it.

Sherry1web

I can’t decide if I’d like them better vertically though. We’ll have to see which way they end up if I ever get them onto the walls around here.

And here’s my last one, which is sort of like Clara’s first painting, except not as cool. Here’s the headline: Three year old trumps mom in paint-off. Mom couldn’t be more thrilled.

Sherry3web

I made all of the paintings above available for download. So if you click any of the images, it’ll open a larger version of them (they’re all 8 x 10″ printables) that you can download by right clicking or dragging them off your screen onto your desktop (depending on your computer). I know it’s not much, but during a tough week, they made me smile, so I wanted to share them. I also want to start an annual tradition of donating to the MS Society in my Aunt Kay’s memory, so feel free to click that link if you’d like to join me.

Comments

  1. Vanessa says

    So beautiful and such a nice way to honor your Aunt. Thank you for sharing with us. Our thoughts are with you.

    Reply

  2. Eileen says

    Lots of love and hugs to you today. This is a really sweet tribute to your aunt, I’m so sorry for your loss. I lost my mom to MS too and your donation to the cause will go a long way towards fighting this “stupid disease” (Mom’s words)

    P.S – You see a sunset over pink water, I see Lisa Simpson!

    Reply

  3. Sara says

    I love the paintings! I have hung a couple of my girl’s watercolors in frames. They look so good and I love that I have her art on the wall rather than someone I don’t know! These would be perfect for that.

    Reply

  5. Allyn says

    Looks like your girl is left handed. I’ve found that lefties tend to be very artistic, and Clara does not appear to be an exception to the rule. Love all the paintings!

    Reply

  6. Kindra says

    I love the idea of honoring your aunt with an annual donation. I work with MS patients and it is such a tough disease to live with. The MS Society really does help these patients that are often without help from any other resource. Your water color is now my phone background to remind me to be grateful for each day. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  7. Rachel says

    I love this. We recently did color block painting with acrylic paint on felt in our house and I loves one of the painting so much I went out to get a frame for it before it was even dry.

    Reply

  9. Sarah S says

    Sherry – you are an incredibly kind person and it’s indeed generous of you to share your personal stories with us. It’s a lovely community you’ve built over the web.

    What a wonderful way to celebrate the life of a wonderful woman. Sending you peace and love and happiness during this tough week :-)

    Reply

  10. Carolyn says

    Clara is a lefty! That’s why she’s so artistic . . . from one lefty to another – you go girl!!!

    Reply

  11. Vanessa says

    So very, very sorry for your loss. Your paintings are gorgeous and such a beautiful way to remember your aunt. Brought a big smile to my face too, and a little tear.

    Reply

  12. Eri says

    This may sound weird, but this sorta post makes me want to be your kid (nevermind I’m older than you). Can you take me? :)

    Kidding aside, it’s a great way to remember Aunt Kay, and it warms my heart to think about the way your second mom has passed something precious to you, and now you are passing it to your girl. Thanks for this entry and the paintings. It’s one of those things that make your blog special to many people.

    Reply

  15. Donita says

    So sorry about your Aunt Kay, we never forget, do we? I love all of your pictures. What a great way to honor your aunt. I had never thought of doing that. I was 11 years old, when my grandfather passed away from a heart attack, at age 58. He was an amazing oil painter/artist, actually had his worked accepted for sell. It is amazing to see how his artistic abilities have been passed down through the generations. My mom and two or her sisters all draw very well and oil paint too. My two children are both very artistic, draw and paint. Now my four grandbabies are carrying on the artistic abilities that their great great grandfather passed down. They all four can draw very well, from the 12 year old down to the 5 year old. Have a great day, filled with wonderful memories of your precious Aunt Kay. <3

    Reply

  17. Crystal says

    What a great way to remember your aunt. I love that you take special time out with Clara to tell her about your aunt. Thanks so much for sharing your paintings, I’ve had two empty frames in our newly built bathroom for months waiting for the right prints and now that’s where two of yours live.

    Reply

  18. Jerri says

    What?! You’re going to GIVE AWAY the future Georgia O’Keeffe’s (Breaking Bad reference) first paintings?! That will be worth, like, a gazillion bucks in a few years?!

    Sherry, what a sweet, endearing way to honor your Aunt and helping Clara get to know her. ((Tears))

    Reply

  21. Kathleen says

    You three need to pick up the book called “The Dot” by Peter H. Reynolds, if you have not done so already. I think this would be a favorite of Clara’s and it would encourage her love for painting even more. =)

    Reply

  22. DawnSC says

    Such a sweet tradition and lovely way of honoring your Aunt! For my son’s 1st birthday last year, I donated to a local diaper drive. I haven’t decided what to donate for his 2nd birthday coming up in September (how is he 2 already?!), but I would eventually like him to pick out a charity that means something to him when he’s older so he can give back while still receiving gifts for his birthday. I’m hoping this will help him think of others starting as a child. Or maybe it’ll just make him hoard the gifts he does get in fear I’ll make him donate them. haha :)

    Reply

  25. Jenny says

    Hey Sherry,

    I love how you guys integrate charitable giving into your lives — props for that. I wonder how many people do, without talking about it? I’ve always felt really privileged to have discretionary income and even in college — when I really didn’t have much, though I didn’t realize it at the time — had a ‘formula’ for how much to give (based on how much I spent on splurges for me). Now, my husband and I give a percentage of our AGI, once it’s calculated for taxes. How’s that for dorky? But I love having a budget to spend on it, and a way to decide how much is enough. I walk past the biggest homeless shelter in the country every day on the way to work, and it’s hard to see so many people in so much need, and figure out where to draw boundaries.

    Anyway, I just wanted to say how much I appreciate that you integrate giving into your lives in multiple ways, and share it so other people can see that model, too. I’m sorry for your loss of your Aunt Kay, and hope spending this time thinking of her and working with Clara eases the pain.

    Reply

  26. cori says

    Cute little post!

    First thing I saw on the “sunset” pic was a little girl from behind.. hair blowing in the wind.. pointing up to heaven. :)

    Reply

  27. Gloria says

    I think the second one Clara did looks abstract. Like a person faced away from you with blond hair or maybe a golden hat and one arm reaching out. It has good movement to it. It’s not just a mother’s prejudice… I have a fine art degree and I agree with you, looks like you might have a talent there. :-)

    Reply

  28. Erika S. says

    This post makes me smile. My son is an artist too (a mother’s words :)) and I have his art framed and hung all over our house. Whenever we have people over, they always comment and it just fills me with pride! Keep on painting, Clara!

    Reply

  30. ErinY says

    We don’t have a yearly tradition, but in my family, every time you find a penny it means someone in heaven is thinking of you. In our case it’s grandpa, and we look at the year and think of something good that happened that he would be happy about or proud of, even if it’s a year he missed. One time my grandma found a penny and made a joke out loud to him about how it would be ok if he sent more than a penny once in a while. A few steps later she found $10! The world is just too funny sometimes :) Thinking of you, your Aunt Kay, and Grandpa today.

    Reply

  31. Lisa says

    You’re right, Clara IS talented. I love her painting too. And your work as well.

    One of my favorite pieces of art is a painting my son did when he was 4. Something about it just struck me, so I had it professionally mounted and framed. I had it hanging in my office for several years, and was often asked where I’d purchased it. That painting now hangs above our mantle in our family room so that I can see it and smile at it every day.

    Reply

  32. Kandice says

    I’m fairly new to reading your blog so I missed last year’s post about your Aunt. Reading it now and seeing your love for her now in your art sessions with Clara really hits home for me as I have a very close friend with MS. Thanks for sharing your story and your beautiful artwork.

    Reply

  34. Terri Simmons says

    What a sweet way to remember your favorite aunt! Do you know about http://www.thehomet.com? They sell the most wonderfully soft tshirts and part of the profit goes to MS. I have bought 4 for various people and they were all perfect. You can honor your aunt and get a cute tshirt at the same time.

    Reply

  35. Shirley says

    I am a regular reader but rarely comment, this coincidence was so bizarre I felt compelled to share it.

    I was about to read this post when I received a phone call from my sister. She called upset because she has to go for tests to see if she has MS.She has been having vision problems for over a year and they want to eliminate MS as a possibility. I am definitely going to make a donation.

    Reply

  36. Mariah S. says

    Thanks for the download! I was planning on commenting to ask if I could purchase a print/download before I got to the end of your post. :)

    Clara’s painting with the small red dot reminds me of Monet’s Impression, Sunrise! They’re all lovely and I think it’s so great to celebrate the lives of loved ones.

    Reply

  38. Julianne says

    A budding little artist, indeed! It’s amazing that, with all of those colours to choose from, Clara has a keen eye for what looks good together. Methinks she has been paying attention to her mother’s design choices & has your talent! :0)

    Reply

  39. Leigh says

    Aww I love the paintings! I love this post Sherry. It’s so sweet and such a nice way to remember your Aunt.

    My father in law passed away before my son was born and my husband is looking forward to the day our son is old enough to play golf. His dad taught him to play when he was around 4 years old and he wants to keep that tradition going. So for now, our just turned 2 year old has a plastic golf set. It’s not good for indoor play. Just speaking from experience :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha, that sounds hilarious! I’m so sorry for your loss Leigh. I hope the day comes when he can play golf with your husband and bring him a big ol’ smile.

      xo
      s

  40. Dominique says

    Young House Love has been part of my daily blog reading for the past 3 months or so. Your hearts and character come through in your posts (donating your fee to Habitat for Humanity, not taking freebies, and now this- for recent examples) just as much as your talent and hard work. You’ve made an impression on me. Your blog challenges me not only to make my home better, but to make myself better. Thanks for doing your thing.

    Reply

  41. Natalie says

    Sherri,

    First of all, it is not just your mother-ness taking over, Clara is a little artist!

    Secondly, I really want to take this time to express my gratitude about your donation to the NMSS. My grandmother passed away from MS in 1964 after a 10 year battle at the ripe young age of 33. I’m currently in my own battle with Multiple Sclerosis, and I’ve been blogging about it to try and work through my feelings. Every time I see someone making a donation, or even acknowledging the disease (some people tell me it’s in my head!), it fuels my fight that much more.

    Also, for those who are concerned with where this money goes. Let me assure you that one of the greatest assets a person battling MS can have are the cooling packs that the NMSS gives away for free. These packs can run up to $300 if you have to purchase them by yourself, by NMSS gives everyone affected by this disease one free pack. I use mine daily in the summertime, given that MS is a heat aggravated disease.

    So thanks for the support in my fight!
    Natalie

    Reply

    • Natalie says

      I am doing much better than before! If anyone who is reading these comments need advice, additional information or just to vent about medical issues, hop on over to mymsmatch.blogspot.com and I’ll answer any questions you have about Multiple Sclerosis!

  42. Laurie says

    I lost my Mom two weeks ago. Yesterday was her birthday. To say it is hard does not even begin to capture how horrible the loss is. She was so artistic and would have loved the watercolors. She was talented in a way many people only dream of. My Aunt, her little sister, is like a Mom to me, too. In fact, we call her Auntie Mom. I understand how special that relationship can be and I am glad you have such happy memories of your Aunt Kay. I am longing for the day when the memories make me smile and not cry.

    Reply

  44. Christine says

    This post took me by surprise, because my family and I are coming up on the sixth-month-anniversary of our mother’s passing. It’s been a surreal half-year, and as cliched as it sounds, I’ve been thinking of ways for us to find some fun in the midst of this heaviness. So your and Clara’s art definitely “kept me company,” as I mull over how to honor our mom during these first months of her absence. It’s hard and strange, isn’t it? Seems like they were just here, and so vibrant… how can they not be anymore? Takes some time to get used to. Love to your family!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I’m so sorry for your loss Christine. I know what you mean about thinking “weren’t we just cracking up about something in the kitchen last week?”

      xo
      s

    • Laurie says

      Christine, I am so sorry for your loss. I just posted on here that we lost our Mom two weeks ago. It is devastating and I get what you mean about finding something fun in the midst of all the pain. I wish your family peace, comfort and love. XOXO

  46. Lela says

    Very sweet and very touching. I’m sure your aunt was smiling down watching you two paint together for her :)

    Reply

  47. Linda says

    Your Aunt Kay is smiling at you and your budding artist… happy that you are sharing her enthusiasm for creativity.
    I spent my childhood summers with my Mom, Aunt and Grandmother sewing and wandering through fabric stores. To this day, a trip to the fabric store makes me smile.

    Reply

  48. Connie S. says

    I also saw the back of a blond-haired girl (Sally from the Peanuts cartoons-haha), flashing the peace symbol, in Clara’s “Sunset” picture. All the pictures are really pretty–there’s something so soothing about watercolors, both in creating them and in looking at them. Thanks for sharing them.

    Reply

  49. Lisa Sylvia says

    What gorgeous paintings. Clara is so adorable and sweet. When my son was little, he did some paintings in school. I loved them so much that I framed them and hung them in our home. I love looking at them still.

    Reply

  50. Jill says

    This is the first time I have read every comment on any blog post on Young House Love. A lot of these dealt with loss and disease, so the discussion’s a bit sobering, but overall, what a lot of very nice people have collected here today! Literally every single person said something sweet. It’s like one giant hug on the internet, and seriously, how often does that happen?

    How very nice. :)

    Reply

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