Show an interest in my 92 year-old mother Frankie and you’ll likely find yourself in her bedroom.
Excuse me?
Her bedroom that has been transformed into her artist’s studio, of course.
In the manner of Goldilocks, it took Mom three moves to find just the right apartment in the building she moved into shortly after my dad died nine years ago. It had to have the right amount of light, be on the cooler east side of the building and have a view of the mountains and ocean. This one, with its extra third bedroom, is just right. It allows her to indulge in her passion: painting.
She’s still painting at 92? Yes. But that’s not the story. What is, is the fact that this passion has been a rather recent rekindle. It was in remission for over 50 years.
True, she did earn her BA and MA while attending Fine Arts classes part-time at the University of British Columbia when the my two siblings and I were growing up. But honestly, I can recall only two paintings being created. And they were copies of famous paintings. One was Johannes Vermeer’s Girl With a Pearl Earring and the other was of Madonna with Child. Sorry, Mom, I can’t remember the original artist of that one.
The only Frankie originals we saw growing up were ones she’d painted early on in her marriage. Colorful buildings lining the vacant early morning streets of Baltimore, artistic head shots of patient friends, and ancient totem poles lording over the windswept west coast beaches.
It wasn’t until she was 83 and she had more time for herself that Mom began seriously churning out originals once again.
Imagine If She’d Kept Painting
It’s not been easy. She tore her rotator cuffs on both shoulders while hauling herself up a swinging rope ladder dangling from the side of a Russian icebreaker a few years back. Lifting her arms above her shoulders is now beyond painful. At 92 surgery on the shoulders isn’t an option. But she’s adjusted. She asks her wonderful neighbours to help lift the larger canvasses. Being the self-appointed social coordinator of her building she’s got lots of people to call upon.
Add to the mix the fact that she had a series of falls last summer and one might think it’s a wonder that she’s still able to summon the desire to paint. But I don’t. It keeps her engaged, happy and feeling young.
It’s been interesting to see the progression of the subject matter. As she admits, it’s gone in clusters. Birds, houses, trees, people, horses. And it works. The word is getting out. Folks are taking notice and her work now resides on walls all over North America.
But compliment her on the latest effort resting on her easel?
She’ll usually respond with an annoyingly humble “No, I can’t paint. Not really.”
But sometimes, every once in a while, her step quickens, her eyes widen and she’ll admit to a quietly wistful “I’m getting better. I wonder if I’d be rather good now if I’d only kept at it all those years ago …”
I present her latest finished piece.
Earlier tonight I asked if I could share her photo as well as some of her paintings.
“Yes, if it’s flattering.”
May we all be all look as well at 92.
This post has been inspired by the Finish the Sentence Friday prompt of “I wonder … “
As always, our host is the lovely Kristi . Today’s guest hosts are Kerri of Undiagnosed But Okay and Jill of http://rippedjeansandbifocals.com
Imagine if she’d kept painting? I don’t have to. She has.
Enough. I’m curious about you. Do you ever wonder about a passion you’ve given up? If so, do you regret stopping? Are you like my mother and can create such magic? Or are you like me and gifted at drawing stick figures. Are you artistic in other ways? If you’d care to share, I’d love to hear.
48 Responses
Wow, she is truly talented. I love the bright palette she uses. I’m telling you, we should introduce my grandpa to your mom. When my grandmother died, he turned their formal living room into an art studio, and he takes classes every week. His paintings are nowhere near your mother’s, but he’s not too bad. The picture of her is beautiful!
Yes, Lana we absolutely should. They’d get on like a house on fire, I’m sure! Love to hear that your grandfather is living life to the fullest. What a guy – good on him to turn the formal living room into an art studio. I’m off to share that tidbit with Mom. She’ll love it.
Oh my! Your Mom sure loves bright colors, Kelly. Her palette is a good match for her purple pants 😉
I love her sense of humor too – Monk-ee Business. The chicken painting would look great in any kitchen or dining room. Tell your Mom I said she’s a legend!
One of Mom’s very favorite sayings? “Never be afraid of colour.” Safe to say she lives it, eh? There’s a story behind the chicken painting. Our Prime Minister – Stephen Harper – has a reputation of ruling the roost. He did something that annoyed her so she painted that. The chickens dancing around him are his cabinet members …
Okay, once again, your mom is freaking amazing. And her painting are beautiful! And I wonder, too, what if she hadn’t stopped. Don’t you hate wonderings like that, they’ll drive you crazy. She should have an art show, though!
She has had a couple of art shows, Allie. The last one was a bust as it wasn’t in same league as the painting she submitted. She should have put in some water colours – they’d have gone like hotcakes. The shows she does well in are ones in which she personally invites folks to. Thank hou for your kind words about her. She really is freaking amazing. She just phoned to say she’s going to zip out for lunch and then spend the afternoon in her studio. “I woke up knowing how to tweak that canvas. I really do have a kind mind …”
I want to be your mom when I grow up. And I want Abby to grow up to be like you, one who not only loves her mom but takes such pride in her.
Aw thank you Kerri. What a kind thing to say. I’ll tell Mom. She’ll be thrilled.
wow! those paintings are awesome just super awesome, Kelly.
Loved each one of them.
Girl, you have tough competition to prove yourself here 😉 High five and a virtual hug to your mom, for keep doing what she loves!!
xoxo
Oh I’m so not in the same league as her, Ruchira. My drawing ability takes after my dad. Stick figures are my specialty. I’m seeing her tomorrow night and will pass on your high five and hug. Thank you!
She doesn’t need to wonder – she is “rather good” now!! Sorry to hear about her shoulders, but I hope they allow her to do many more paintings yet! The bird paintings are really striking!
Thank you! I’ll pass on your kind words tomorrow night at dinner. Her computer is acting up and my posts won’t open up anymore. She wants me to read them to her over the phone. I can do that – except for the one I wrote about my sister nurturing my kids. I’d get too emotional for comfort, thank you very much.
As for her paintings, I didn’t post many photos of her work, Susan, because most of it is sold. Folks might have said “oh now I really like that one.” Happens all the time. She’ll put her work in a show and the ones that are already sold garner the most attention.
“Yes, if it’s flattering.” I adore that. Tell her I think her paintings are lovely!
Thank you, Kenya. Indeed I will. Am having dinner with her tomorrow night.
Your mom is so awesome, Kelly! Her paintings are truly wonderful – really really REALLY GOOD! She looks wonderful, too. I see that she’s got a purple jacket/sweater on. What about the purple pants? 😉
PS is that story about the rope true?? That’s how she tore her shoulders??
YES, Kristi – that story about how she tore her shoulders is true. I think she was 88 or 89.
Absolutely AMAZING. Once an artist, always an artist. I just LOVE that she took to her art once again in her later years… I mean, who does that kind of stuff at her age? Wow. Just wow. And those paintings are exquisite. Having the limitations she has, you would never ever know those were created by a 92 year old woman who can’t lift her arms above her shoulders.
I can’t help but fall in love with her… and inspire to be like her when I grow up.
Thank you, Chris. “Who does that kind of stuff at her age?” That’s it exactly. Everything you think she is, she is, and more. She gave the toast at her grandson’s fiance’s shower yesterday and everyone was blown away. No one could believe she’s 92. It’s so lovely to see her impact on everyone. They just blossom around her.
Oh my gosh. I LOVE them. She needs to get an Etsy shop. I want one. Is Monk-ee Business for sale? Such a wonderful story.
Thanks Jamie. I know – she does need to get an Etsy shop. Happily her work moves rather quickly. What I love is that this Fine Arts Prof has finally got folks buzzing about her work, not the other way around.
Great story about your amazing Mum. I love her brightly coloured paintings. Such an expression of her zest for life. Love the pride that you have in each other !
Aw – thanks, Jane. You should have seen her at the shower yesterday. Everyone was buzzing around her and she’s got several folks coming to her studio to see her latest work. Love that.
Monk-ee Business! Beautiful! Now I know that the artistic gene (you work in words, of course, Kelly) comes from your mom/mum. I love that you both have creative outlets that make you feel alive.
Thanks, Katy. She is really quite the spark. I often can’t keep up with her!
Your mom and her wonderful talent and passion totally inspires me! You can do anything at any age, go back to first loves, try something new. She looks amazing too. My mother-in-law recently took up painting in her late sixties and she’s really good. It’s hard to believe that she’s coming to it just now – a familiar story of finally having time for it.
Oh, Lisa, how wonderful. Love that your mother-in-law is painting. It’s so inspiring to see, isn’t it? Many days, I can’t keep up with Mom. She phoned me this morning all abuzz about her latest painting idea. She’d been up since 5:30 working on it.
My first thought when I saw this fantastic photo of your mom? I wonder if she’s wearing her purple pants with that jacket… 🙂 Her paintings are wonderful!
I love how you write about Frankie (and all your family), Kelly. So much love, pride and absolute happiness. My mother is always busy with a creative project, usually quilting, but lately handpainted tablecloths. I love how committed she is to doing something she loves.
Ha! She wasn’t wearing THE purple pants but a smashing pair just the same. Love to hear that your mom is active with creativity,too. Quilting is such an art. And how wonderful that your mom has branched out into handpainted tablecloths. May we both be continuing to want to take on new things when we’re their ages, ‘eh?
Your mom is amazing – she looks awesome and is so talented!! I can only hope to have her energy when I get to be 92, or even 72!!!
Grinnned at the 72, Kim. I feel exactly the same.
I hope I will look as good as your grandma when I turn 92! I love it when I hear stories of people finding their way back to their passion! I used to be a production/stage manager for a theater company before I got married and I was always working on some props. I love painting and drawing and cutting an putting things together and anything that get my hands dirty! I miss those days. I hope to be able to do those things one day, when life isn’t so crazy anymore. 🙂
Oh I do hope you can get back to it, Jhanis. How wonderful. My background is in theater – the acting side. Haven’t acted for many years now but find myself positioning to take on roles that allow me to speak through a mike more and more. I really miss that world too.
Kelly, in case I haven’t said this before, “I love your mom!” Seriously, she is amazing and her paintings are absolutely awesome! Thank you for sharing her artwork with us and most definitely inspiring! 😉
My pleasure, Janine. Thanks for loving her. She’s quite the gal.
I’d love to see the Baltimore painting – does your mom still have that one? She is quite talented! And the fact that she is holding up a cookie in that photo makes me like her even more.
I am pretty sure she’s got the Baltimore one still hanging in her bedroom. When I’m next at her place I’ll have a peak and photograph it for you, Dana. And there’s a story about the cookie. Years ago she’d order “big cookies” at the end of a meal at this one restaurant. She’d always ask for it by holding up her thumb and middle finger – well, of course, that set the rest of us off in a peal of laughter. When we told her it looked like she was telling the waiter to “F-off” she joined in. Now whenever she has a “big cookie” we take a pic of her holding it just so …
Wow, your mom is fantastic! I hope she reads these comments and sees how much people appreciate her talent. I’m trying to find time to continue to paint as well. I’m not great at it, but I enjoy it and it’s something that I don’t hold myself to any standard. Maybe when my baby is a little older – but I am taking away from this post to make painting a continued priority!
Thank you so much, Jessica. Mom’s computer is very tired and on its way out. She can’t access my blog anymore on it (!)and so she has to read it on my phone! She gets a real hoot out of reading people’s comments and hopefully she’ll be up and running very soon with a laptop. And yes – she’d be cheering you on to go and make painting a continued priority!
“passion in remission” — oh, that phrase! And that photo of your mom. What an incredibly inspiring and beautiful story and woman. Thank you for sharing her with us.
Thank you, Jena. She really is amazing. We had a few scares last week – a dizzy spell and then two days later, a head bonk from a falling medicine cabinet – but she’s managed to rally well. She’s a corker.
What a gal!!! And what talent!! Did she name that painting Monk-ee Business? Hilarious! You are a lucky gal to have such a great example to aspire to.
Yes, she did name the painting Monk-ee Business, Mo. She really is quite the gal who is truly often busier than I am.
I really like when you write about your mom. And especially when we get to see her paintings. She reminds me that today is a good day (no matter my age) to do what I love.
Today is a good day to do what you love. I’ll pass that on to Mom when she calls me this morning, Susan. Oh so very true. I am sorry to tell you that she’s suffered yet another concussion! Her fourth in a year. The medicine cabinet fell off the wall and bonked her on the head. Poor thing. She’s struggling with fleeting headaches and is worried about her memory. The CT scan showed no internal bleeding thankfully and after two weeks she’s now talking about picking up her paint brush again. As she says, she’s a “tough old bird.”
Oh no. I don’t like hearing this. I’m so glad that that there is no internal bleeding. And memory? I get it. I need every memory cell I can hang onto. Please tell her that I’m so looking forward to hearing that she’s mended and feeling well enough to pick up that paint brush. It’s summer and the colors are calling. Kelly, promise to post her next painting.
Oh thank you, Susan. I will indeed pass on your kind words to her. And yes, I’ll post the painting once it’s done. Or when they’re done. She told me this morning that she’s considering doing two. So phewf! Sounds like she’s going in the right direction. I’ll keep you posted.
I love you mom’s work! I don’t think I would ever get to that level, even if I started now and lived to be 200. She has quite the talent!
Aw, thank you, Kristi. She’ll be tickled pink to hear you think she has talent. I, on the other hand, got my father’s ability to draw a lovely stick person. I suspect I would have to maybe live to 300 to come anywhere close to achieving a third of her talent.