This post, today, is about the painting I bought for my mother. She’s been having a rough go of it lately - actually, a really rough go of it and I'm hopeful this piece of art will put a smile on her face.
I’m thinking of giving it to her early - then, of course, I’ll be back to needing two gifts! (one must always have a little something to open on “the big day”)
As I mentioned, briefly, in my last post - I went to an art exhibit and purchased some art.
Here is what I bought. I am very happy with it.
Note the way the art is wrapped around the canvas sides - stunning. (Size 8x10")
Baukje is from the Netherlands and arrived in Canada at the young age of eight. After spending her youth in Northern BC, Baukje headed to the Lower Mainland to attend university and never looked back.
Married, and with two adorable children who are now in school full-time, Baukje decided, last September, to revisit a passion she had first enjoyed during her high school years - painting.
Her mother is an artist, also passionate about painting, but as Baukje tells it, her mother likes to say, “She just dabbles in art” - Baukje grew up watching her mother create beautiful works of art.
As so many artists know, life gets in the way; once Baukje’s kids were in school she felt there was a little time in her busy week to take a morning off and devote it to painting lessons.
A year later, and many classes under her belt, Baukje participated in her first art exhibit where I bought one of her many stunning pieces.
At present, Baukje does not have a website showing her wonderful talent; when one is set up I will be sure to add it to my list of Noteworthy Art Sites, as her art is indeed noteworthy.
I know my mom will love this lone poppy; its petals wide open, some having fallen with the wind; vibrant and still full of life, bending to the changing of the seasons. I hope it inspires my mother to keep fighting the good fight and not let these last couple of weeks “pull her last few petals off”.
Mom loves poppies - and I love my mom.
As flowers and plants go, what calls to you? Do you have a favourite too?
Cheers,
Jenny
This art is incredible and your mum is going to be so chuffed when she gets her present, it's such a lovely painting like absolutely perfect and she's going to love it, it's so kind of you to purchase it for her especially considering she's had a tough time which I'm sorry to read about. I don't really have a favourite flower but I do like to appreciate nature, lilies are awesome too as are white roses, white roses would probably be my favourite in fact!
ReplyDeleteI like that word "chuffed" I'm adding it to my verbal repertoire. Yes, mom will be chuffed, Matthew, and I'm sure the bright colours, of this painting, will lift her spirits. (sad times over here right now)
DeleteWhite roses are stunning, good call on them being a favourite. Yellow roses are a favourite of mine (for as long as I can remember...wonder why, hmm, worth pondering one day)
Beautiful! I'm sure it will put a smile on your mother's face. I know it put one on mine. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful is the first word I used when coming around the corner to the table/area where Baukje's art was displayed - and it fits too.
DeleteI'm glad it added a smile to your face. I'm thinking of giving it to mom today, after taking her for a movie and bite it might be a sweet treat for her to have a little present to open when we get back home.
That is stunning, gorgeous art! I'm sure your mother will adore it. I'm sorry to hear that she's having health issues.
ReplyDeleteI love all flowers and had quite a garden back home that I planted the year after my son was born, but I saw something that really excited me this morning: a little flower called a "naked fairy" flower, or something similar to that. I will share the photo on my blog soon. I plan to try and draw it as well. My own love for drawing surfaced of late. It's a sweet escape and creative indulgence for me now that my son has started school and I can take some time for myself. As mothers we often put our own interests on the backburner and, of course, that's somewhat necessary but it's good to pursue interests of our own when we can. Like Baukje, I don't have time for a class but I've found that a lot can be learned from books (As you know. Yes, I've been paying attention to your posts. How's the upside down drawing going? Sounds challenging! :) I hope you are enjoying your own artistic endeavors. You are fortunate to have your daughter to tutor you... I'm a tad jealous of that. ;)
Take care and Happy Drawing!
Hi Jenn - I just googled "naked fairy flower" - it's of the orchid family. I never saw such and intriguing flower before, and it indeed does look like a little naked person/fairy. Funny!
DeleteYou're right, much can be learned from books. The one I'm reading, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, is going to get most of the credit for the progress I am making - it is amazing.
And...you're so sweet for "paying attention" to my post - hugs to you - if you have time, in your very busy world, to get your hands on the aforementioned book you will not be sorry. I'm thinking it really is the only art book a person needs to read to understand the principles of drawing.
As to my daughter...(big smile filling my face, right about here)...yes, I am very fortunate. I am taking total advantage of her years of drawing experience and her continued honing of her skills, I am benefitting greatly. :)
Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Jenny! I just stopped back in and realized I made a mistake in my comment. You did not say your mother was having health issues and I apologize for making assumptions! Yikes - how embarrassing! I am obviously not paying as much attention as I should be.
DeleteI'm glad you thought to google the fairy flowers. They really are so cute. I showed my son their picture and he said, "Oh, little flower people!" Indeed! :)
Hey Jenn - no worries, I knew what you meant. Mom's been through a lot, some of it health related but most to do with an unfortunate incident two weeks ago.
DeleteAs to the fairy flower - it really was like looking at a little person - cute, but if I had them in my garden they would make me think of little martians invading...over-active imagination!
Funny coincidence - the corn poppy is my favourite flower because of its fragility and persistence (when it gets shaken by the wind). I remember well how I always wanted to pick them and bring them home when I was a preschool child. But my mother said no as they would wilt too quick in a vase. *sighs*
ReplyDeleteSurely a thoughtful and beautiful present for your mother.
I love the way poppies "hold on" and go with the flow (of the wind and elements) and hang on to the very end.
DeleteI can visualize your face, as a little boy, wanting to bring your mother these pretty flowers only to be told not to. I can hear your sigh.
Since my mother is so fond of poppies (her favourite coffee cup has a beautiful poppy on it) my first thought, upon seeing this painting, was how delighted my mother would be. I just had to buy it. The exciting part was that this was the first sale for Baukje and it made her smile too...so this painting has a magical quality built in...one cannot help but smile when seeing it. My mom will love it.
It's a pretty painting Jenny and I hope it will lift your mom's spirits way up high every time she looks at it. xo
ReplyDeleteIndeed it will lift her spirits. Seems it's been lifting mine too.From the moment I saw it, at the art exhibit, it called to me.
DeleteMom's had a rough patch lately and with the weather turning (fall brings out the beast in mother nature around here with unrelenting rains) I know a pop of colour, on a wall, can bring the smiles out when sunshine is hard to find. :)
I'm sure your mom will love it.
ReplyDeleteGuess I need to start buying presents soon...
Hi Alex! Mom will love it - I'm loving it too!
DeleteYes, it's that time of year again, only thing is I do my shopping all year long. And when one only needs to buy two gifts you can well imagine it's not a huge undertaking. :)
Thanks, Karen! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a stunning painting. I love that it shows the petals as they might be in real life, not idealized perfection. I'm sure it will bring cheer to your mom.
ReplyDeleteThat's what drew me to it, Botanist; the realism. It appears as it might be seen in a garden or field. In fact, Baukje told me she used a photo she had taken, of a poppy in someone's garden, for her inspiration. She did a beautiful job.
DeleteMom will love it (I'm loving it too and am thinking I might need my own poppy painting) however, I will see it every time I drop in for a visit with mother.
Ah... Absolutely love the poppy. And the way the art wraps around the sides. That is awesome. I'm sure Mom will love it. Send her a big warm hug from me.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason irises have always had a place in my life. They are beautiful and they bring back good memories of my childhood.
Mom appreciates the "big warm hugs" - thanks, Rev.
DeleteIrises are beautiful - good call on them being a favourite. They are striking and the depth of colour is truly stunning. I have, on many occasions, treated myself to a few stems to grace my kitchen table.
I'm curious as to the "good childhood memories" at irises evoke. (a post perhaps would be in order, hmm) :)
I love wild flowers there is something free about them they grow anywhere I don't know just love them
ReplyDeleteI agree, Becca, seeing flower in the wild is something else.
DeleteI enjoy seeing the gardens, in my neighbourhood, while out walking my wee dog, and some of the flowers, like the one I blogged about a while ago (the Passion Flower) are so amazing. Quite the gift from Mother Nature, to say the least. Like you, I just love them - so beautiful to see. :)
Lovely gift!
ReplyDeleteThanks Claudia! :)
DeleteThat's a beautiful painting!
ReplyDeleteHi GE - thanks for flying in to take a look - I concur, it is a beautiful painting. :)
DeleteSo very beautiful. She i certainly a very talented artist and I am sure it will be something your mother will treasure.
ReplyDeleteI confess I am partial to the native flowers we have here. Especially the stunning flowering gum trees that draw the parrots and bees.
Thanks Mynx. Baukje is indeed very talented and will go far with her painting if she continues with her the dedication she has shown thus far. Very inspiring - talking to her was a wonderful treat - she had so much encouragement to offer, after she left I was doubly motivated.
DeleteThat, along with the sessions with my daughter, I'm feeling the passion burn within.
You do have beautiful flowers in Australia - no doubt. :)
omgosh--i just adore this piece---and the color---one of my favorites these days---great find!
ReplyDeleteIn honour of the colour I gave m blog a facelift (cheaper than the real thing, giggle) and yes, it was a great find; I almost didn't go to the art exhibit.
DeleteThanks for stopping in and taking a look. :)
Hi Jenny .. that's a lovely thought - beautiful work of art and I'm sure your mother will be truly delighted.
ReplyDeleteI just love buying as I see something special for someone ... also I love the red poppies waving in the fields ...
Cheers and happy thoughts while you wait for Christmas to give the gift!! Hilary
Hi Hilary - how are you doing?
DeleteI think mom will love this piece - as she is a fan of poppies! It's small and given the size of her dwelling it will be a lovely addition.
I've been waffling about giving it earlier, but so far it is in my Christmas Box, which lives under my bed...all year long I add to it as I find something special. (you and I are on the same page there)
Thanks for dropping in for a visit. :)
Say hi and give your mom a hug for me please, Jenny! xo
ReplyDeleteWill do, Carole - and welcome back - you've been missed around here! Hugs.
DeleteHi Jenny,
ReplyDeleteThank-you again for buying my poppy painting. I hope your mother enjoyed it. I look back at the photos of it and am very proud of this painting.
You asked me to let you know if/when I finally put together an art blog. After much procrastination, here it is: http://baukjesart.blogspot.ca/
It is a work in progress and I will be adding a number of posts to it within the next week. I hope to have it completed in time for next week's art show at the Kerrisdale Community Seniors Centre (Oct 26 & 27). I hope you'll have a chance to stop by: the artists are very talented and the works will be varied and stunning. I'll be around at various times both days - hopefully our paths will cross.
I added a link to your blog on the page that presents the poppy painting (http://baukjesart.blogspot.ca/2013/10/the-florals-papaver.html). I hope it's okay by you. If not, let me know.
Cheers,
Baukje