Monday, January 12, 2009

Blue Monday

bluemonday Today is Blue Monday hosted by Sally at Smiling Sally. Don’t forget to visit her site to see links to more participants!

Today I am going to share the BLUE SKIES of some oil paintings in my home that are very special. (I’ll tell you why after I share some photos of them with you)

First, Paul Revere’s statue and the Old North Church in Boston, Massachusetts….. where my parents were married… (probably my favorite painting… the place holds many fond memories for me….)

Paul Revere  

The next oil painting is a reproduction (1970) of a painting done by Tomaso de Simone called “U.S.S. Constellation at Naples, Italy 1862”

USS Constellation Naples 1862, de Simone

Finally, “Return of the Clipper Ships” inspired by another painting called “Clipper Ships” by Alfred Gabali……

Return of Clipper Ships

So why are these paintings treasures to me?

My grandfather painted them! He was born in 1899 and didn’t start painting until he had retired (in his late 60s). Pretty amazing! Now that he is gone, these paintings make me smile… and they are a reminder to me that it is never too late to follow your dreams!

Thanks for stopping by and visiting my blog ……

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35 comments:

  1. ellen b.January 12, 2009 at 10:21 AM

    Good morning Susan! How fabulous that you have these wonderful paintings that your grandfather painted to enjoy! There really is a good lesson to learn here too. Have a wonderful Monday!

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  2. WendyJanuary 12, 2009 at 10:34 AM

    Hi Susan,

    The paintings are fabulous! I bet your grandfather never thought that almost 50 years later someone would still be enjoying something he put so much work in. What a treasure you have.

    Wendy

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  3. My name is RietJanuary 12, 2009 at 11:02 AM

    Beautiful paintings. Something to be very prouf of.

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  4. CarolJanuary 12, 2009 at 11:05 AM

    Wow! And you inherited this talent gene? Love it!

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  5. SmilingSallyJanuary 12, 2009 at 11:07 AM

    Ah, your grandfather was a talented man, and you are fortunate to have these paintings. Thanks for sharing. Happy Blue Monday.

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  6. akawestJanuary 12, 2009 at 11:22 AM

    Your grandfather was very talented. I love hearing of people who embark on creative pursuits in their older years.

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  7. Terrie's Lil' Piece of SerenityJanuary 12, 2009 at 11:28 AM

    Your grandfather was a very talented man. I am so glad his work stayed in the family. And that you cherish them. I would smile too when I looked at them. You are so lucky to have these treasures. Hugs, Terrie

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  8. AnonymousJanuary 12, 2009 at 11:30 AM

    It's wonderful that you have these.

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  9. santamakerJanuary 12, 2009 at 12:20 PM

    Hi Susan, wow, I enjoyed seeing the art your grandfather painted. So talented.
    Thanks so much for thinking about me for the Georgia friends award. It will be fun to get to know our neighbors!

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  10. ShariJanuary 12, 2009 at 1:13 PM

    Your grandfather was a very talented man! I especially appreciate the first one.

    I am currently filling my household walls with drawings, paintings and photos done by family and friends.. so it's all very unique or will be when I'm finished.

    My husband and kids are all very artistic.

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  11. bjJanuary 12, 2009 at 1:16 PM

    Oh, my....he was a fabulous artist. What a blessing to have such talents...and another blessing that you have them now...
    Happy Blue,
    bj

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  12. BelindaJanuary 12, 2009 at 1:20 PM

    What a gorgeous collection of your grandfather's paintings...and to think he found this new talent in his 60s! Goodness, isn't that just wonderful? We are never too old to try something new...look what you would have missed if your grandfather had not taken up a paint brush! :-)

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  13. Mamapippa ...January 12, 2009 at 3:19 PM

    What an artistic grandfather. Lovely paintings !
    Have a nice week !

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  14. BoJanuary 12, 2009 at 3:59 PM

    Hi Susan...these paintings are fabulous! They make me wonder if your grandfather had art training & what he did for a living before he took up painting...He certainly had a talent for it. ;-) Bo

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  15. Melissa MillerJanuary 12, 2009 at 4:00 PM

    They are gorgeous!
    Your Grandpa was a true talent. :)

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  16. Bargain Decorating with LaurieJanuary 12, 2009 at 4:34 PM

    Susan, how wonderful that you have these beautiful paintings done by your grandfather, and what an amazing lesson we can all learn from him! When I started blogging, I told myself "it's never too late to learn something new". There have been times since then that I've wondered if I was right! Thanks for the reminder. laurie

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  17. Knittings Nice!January 12, 2009 at 4:38 PM

    Wonderful artwork......graces classic walls beautiful and done by your Grandfather.....thank you for sharing.

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  18. JeanneJanuary 12, 2009 at 5:03 PM

    Susan, your paintings are fabulous. What wonderful treasures to have now. I love each one and they are so well done. Do you have his artistic genes? Thank you for sharing those lovely paintings.

    Hugs...Jeanne

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  19. The Quintessential MagpieJanuary 12, 2009 at 5:06 PM

    Susan, these are truly treasures, and can you imagine what he might have painted had he started as a young person! I love it, though, that he painted when he was older. Maybe I'll find some latent talent like that. :-)

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  20. SweetieJanuary 12, 2009 at 5:22 PM

    Your grandfather was one talented man. My favorites are the ships but Paul Revere comes in a very close second. How fortunate you are to have works of art created by your own grandfather. Happy Blue Monday!
    Sweetie

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  21. Theresa @ Take A Sentimental JourneyJanuary 12, 2009 at 6:51 PM

    Oh what wonderful paintings you have, and your g.father's ! What a treasure you have !

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  22. pcbJanuary 12, 2009 at 6:55 PM

    What a lovely legacy your grandfather left you. Real treasures.

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  23. LADY JANEJanuary 12, 2009 at 7:22 PM

    Susan, What a lovely gallery you have! I love it when a pic brings back "memories"! Happy Blue Monday!

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  24. The MuseJanuary 12, 2009 at 7:32 PM

    it is indeed never ever too late! oh...i am simply a wash with amazement... ! and you have them and treasure them and use them ... that to me is a most wonderfully glorious thing :)

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  25. BettyJanuary 12, 2009 at 8:45 PM

    Hi Susan and thank you for visiting me today. I just love oil paintings. As a matter of fact I almost showed one of mine for today's Blue Monday. The oil paintings you have shown here are simply beautiful, and I can see why they are so special to you. Your grandfather was a very talented artist.

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  26. Heidi PocketbookJanuary 12, 2009 at 8:59 PM

    Wow, those are spectacular. Your grandfather certainly had wonderful artistic talent. I'm so glad you have something so wonderful to remember him by.

    Thanks for stopping by to see me and Happy Blue Monday :-)

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  27. Missy WertzJanuary 12, 2009 at 9:27 PM

    Oh Susan what a treasure! They are beautiful. Happy Blue Monday!

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  28. MojoJanuary 12, 2009 at 9:45 PM

    The only shame of this is that he didn't begin his painting career earlier! Quite a gifted artist by my reckoning.

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  29. Blondie's JournalJanuary 12, 2009 at 10:12 PM

    Susan,
    How wonderful that you have inherited these beautiful paintings and honor your grandfather by displaying them in your home and now on your website. I love how you always come up with original ideas for the "themed" days. Keep up the great work (work, nah!!!)

    xoxo
    Jane

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  30. AnonymousJanuary 12, 2009 at 11:26 PM

    The paintings are all fab, especially The Constellation. Isn't it amazing to realize people used to travel the world in boats like that?

    Victoria :o)

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  31. NeabearJanuary 13, 2009 at 12:37 AM

    Your grandfather's paintings are wonderful! Happy Blue Monday to you. Thank you for visiting my blue monday posts today.

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  32. LindaJanuary 13, 2009 at 8:07 AM

    Your grandfather had a very special talent. The paintings are lovely.

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  33. Stephanie ~ Angelic AccentsJanuary 14, 2009 at 3:37 PM

    Oh, my goodness, Susan, what treasures from your Grandfather that you have!! Beautiful!!

    Big TX Hugs,
    Stephanie
    Angelic Accents

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  34. CCJanuary 14, 2009 at 10:22 PM

    How wonderful. I would love to be able to paint like that..but that's a talent I don't have. Happy belated Blue Nonday and have a wonderful week.

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  35. CarlottaJanuary 19, 2009 at 8:35 AM

    Oh such treasures! It must have bought him peace to spend his time creating these paintings. How lucky of you to have them still and be able to pass them along. Thanks for sharing.
    ~Carlotta~

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Thank you for stopping by my blog and taking the time to comment! I enjoy reading all your thoughts and will try to answer any questions you might have for me. Have a wonderful day....hope to "see"you again soon!

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