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 ……

35 comments:

  1. 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. 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. Beautiful paintings. Something to be very prouf of.

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

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

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  7. 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. It's wonderful that you have these.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Big TX Hugs,
    Stephanie
    Angelic Accents

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  34. 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. 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!