My 93 year-old mum’s thoughts on color could be alarming to some. Her passion is color; she swears that it has its own language.
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, most days she is often busier than me. However, she’s been feeling a bit down of late. I suspect that last week’s early morning fall at her apartment was the trigger. It also didn’t help that she reacted to her flu shot and spent the weekend either short of breath or coughing.
However. We have hope. This gal knows how to lift herself out a funk. Her advice? Hurl on your most colorful garb and get out the door.
Cast your eyes on Francine at a family dinner on Tuesday night. She picked up this delicious, heavily beaded jacket at a local consignment store for a mere $30.00. Canadian. That’s roughly $21.00 American.
When I picked her up she wasn’t wearing it. She was sporting a heather colored turtle neck and navy pants. Upset that she wasn’t receiving any response from the apartment manager about a faulty light in her living room, she was not in the best of moods. However, she resolved to rise above this bothersome event.
“Shall we go now, Mum?”
“Heavens no. I have to change.”
I am showing you this photo to help you understand why I’m finishing this week’s Finish The Sentence Friday prompt of “If I Was A Crayon …” with “… I’d want to be in Francine’s art box.”
My 93 Year-Old Mum’s Thoughts On Color
My mother is an artist at heart. If you asked me to tell you the one thing she’s drilled into my head since I was a youngster I’d have to say it would be her oft-uttered “Never be afraid of color.”
A trip to the art supply store with Mum is not for the faint of heart. Be prepared to spend at least 30 minutes there as she paws through each and every tube on offer checks out the potential color possibilities. Park wisely. Even the minutest chance of being towed or having the meter run out will have her harping on endlessly.
“How’s the time? Should you go check the car? Oh, the lineup’s too long, I won’t buy anything to today. You can put it all back, can’t you?”
Sure, Mum. I’ll whip back those three tubes of Magic Magenta, the eight of the Angelic Gold and the five of the Goblin Green. The additional three large canvases and the small one plus the seven sketching pads (multiple sizes) and four paint markers will require only an extra three trips. No worries that the line will have dissipated before I’m finished restocking.
No, I don’t think so, thank you. Much smarter to just drop her off and then go park. Trust me.
Ok, back to the FTSF prompt. Why would I want to be in her art box?
Because she’s fearless. Especially when it comes to color. Let me show you what I mean.
This is the view that she has from the balcony of her apartment.
This is her painting that was inspired by that view.
If you find the orange tree troubling, I understand. However, I don’t have a problem with it as it’s symbolic of all that is Francine, the woman who raised me.
So, if I was a crayon, I’d want to be one in Francine’s art box because I’d be put to good use. Frequently.
You can check out the other colorful posts inspired by the Finish The Sentence Friday’s prompt of “If I were a crayon…” by clicking on Kristi’s Finding Ninee and Alyssa Serben from Babies, Bloodhounds and Booze, Oh My!www.blog.bbbohmy.com
Oh. One more thing. That faulty light in Mum’s living room? Seems the cleaning lady unplugged it…
Enough about me and my 93 year-old mum’s thoughts on color. I’m curious about you. Does that orange tree drive you crazy? Would you wear something as splashy as Mum’s jacket? Are you comfortable buying art or would you prefer someone else do it for you? Better yet, when you hear the word “crayon” do you immediately think “Crayola?”If you’d care to share, I’d love to hear.
51 Responses
Alright Kelly, you know I am a huge Francine fan and this only added to my love of your mom. Seriously, that jacket is awesome and I can only hope if I make it to her age that I could pull something similar to that off. Oh and I would love to be a crayon in her art box, too 😉
Thank you so much, Janine. Golly I just realized that Francine rhymes with Janine. That’s funny. She told me that several people have asked if they could have the jacket when she tires of it. Suspect they’ll be waiting a long time …
Okay so I wouldn’t wear your mom’s jacket but OMG I hope to do so when I’m her age (along with her purple pants) and I love love LOVE the orange tree, truly. I think being a crayon in her art box would be one amazing view, with an even better ride. Thanks, Kelly. So glad you linked up.
I’m with you. Don’t think I could manage the jacket just yet. Mind you, she’s always been able to carry off something like it. My cousin is the same. And yes – those purple pants! Thanks for remembering, Kristi.
I so love your Mom. Truly. I still kinda think fire, but I definitely see the tee. And you know what? Fire works for her too, don’t you think? 😉 I’m keeping her advice on my mirror: “Hurl on your most colorful garb and get out the door.”
Hahaha! Yes, my darling brother so kindly tells me every time he spots that painting that he is reminded of an oil well or something equally charming. Mum will absolutely LOVE that you’re keeping her advice on your mirror. She’ll be positively tickled pink, or orange …
🙂
Kelly,
I absolutely admire your mom and dunno if I will be even 25% of what she is today 🙂
I have also loved/admired her paintings and absolutely love her statement on color, “passion is color; she swears that it has its own language.” So true!!
I pray she gets well soon and gets that color back in her life.
xoxo
Thank you, Ruchira for your kind words and positive message. She’s getting better, thanks. Has a lovely weekend planned and is hard at work on another painting. Have a good weekend yourself!
I don’t ” hurl on my most colorful garb and get out the door” nearly enough. I need to remember this advice (and buy a few more pieces of color for my understated wardrobe!) Sorry to hear your mom fell and has been a bit under the weather – I hope she is back to her colorful self soon! Oh, and by the way, I love the orange tree!
Thanks so much, Susan. She’s feeling better. I was cheered to hear that she painted this morning and was off to play bridge this afternoon. And yes, I too need a weensy bit more colour in my wardrobe. Far too much black. Glad you like the orange tree! She gifted the painting to my son and I get to be the caretaker of it until it finds a wall at his place. Hopefully I can have it for a long time!
This reminds me of the poem which goes “When I am old, I shall wear purple, with a red hat that doesn’t go..” (or something like that). What a wonderful way to enjoy old age; with more and more colour, boldness, and determination to be SEEN!
Glad the light problem got fixed.
Glad you have a strategy for the art store.
VERY glad you shared about your mom and her painting and her zest for life. We should all be so lucky to have that colour in our lives by then (or even now) and it’s certainly something to aspire to 🙂
Lizzi – that’s Mum to a T. She adores purple and would wear a red hat in a trice. She gets very annoyed when people ignore her. And rightly so. I remember a trip down to Portland with her about 20 years ago and we couldn’t believe when the waitress just spoke to me. Left her out completely. Has happened since – both with her and my kids. I also don’t like it when people ask me the questions they should be asking my children. In both instances I look a fool – keep my eyes down so they are forced to ask Mum or my guys. Ah well. It always works.
I found it – it’s called ‘Warning’, by one Jenny Joseph – http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/warning/
I think it’s indescribably rude to ignore someone and speak just to one person assessed to be ‘in charge’ or ‘more capable’. There’s no excuse for that. I know people sometimes get uppity about ‘how you should treat waiting staff’, but honestly, there are issues on both sides, so much of the time. I’m GLAD you disengage and make them ask the right person. But good grief, you shouldn’t have to!
Absolutely stellar. Thank you for looking for and finding the poem, Lizzi. I am going to send it to Mum right now. She’ll love it. I love it. And you’re right, I shouldn’t have to disengage. I am frankly astonished at how often I have to.
Brilliant answer and I agree with Francine, never be afraid of color! And I adore the orange tree – it’s perfect. And I’d be bummed after a fall and a flu shot, too! I had my first flu shot in twenty years and I was pissy for week.
Thanks, Allie. I had fun with it. I hope you are feeling better. The flu shot is a tricky thing. My daughter got the needle stuck in her shoulder! Quite something. Medicine flew (and flu) all around and the poor nurse was so shocked and embarrassed. Have a wonderful, pissy free week end.
I thought the orange tree was an orange river, or maybe flames…am I crazy?
I am a big fan of color – in decor, clothing, life in general. A fresh box of Crayola (yes, they have to be Crayola) is one of my favorite things.
Yes to Crayola! I am beginning to wonder if anyone else makes crayons. Hmmm. Grinning here over your belief that the orange tree was an orange river. And no – you’re not crazy. My brother swears the tree is more of an oil well that has caught fire. However perhaps he’s just jealous because Mum gifted the painting to my son and not him… Ha!
I need to go art store shopping with your mom. We could spend half a day there and lots of money. And then we could go to a consignment store and she could pick out a beaded jacket for me. I never find anything like that and so I wear boring clothes I can get paint on.
The painting is fabulous!
Susan,think of the possibilities that would happen shopping with the Canadian dollar! You’d get $1.40 American vs our sad Loonie. Also, Mum’s second favourite hobby next to painting? Shopping! She’d ensure you’d get the best beaded jacket in the city! Book that ticket. Now.
LOVE this post Kelly almost as much as I love your Mum’s soul. So beautiful the dance you two dance together. The orange tree for sure does not bother me in the slightest. It’s the most perfect orange tree I have ever seen. <3
Oh Mum will love your comment that “its the most perfect orange tree” you’ve ever seen. You and her would certainly hit it off. I’m delighted to report that she’s inherited my niece’s laptop and spent two hours learning how to use it. Looking forward to receiving all sorts of treasures from her rather than the hit and miss efforts we’d get from her dinosaur computer of old.
You really need to write a book about your mum. Every time I read about her, I think this. What brings her to life is your brilliant words… every single reader has no choice, but to fall in love with her.
And with you.
I like her picture better than the actual picture.
She obviously has a gifted ‘lens’.
WRITE A BOOK!!! “Falling for Francine.” 😉
Oh what a title! Chris, you’ve a gift. Thank you. And thank you for your nonstop support. Please know you add immeasurably to my life. And Mum’s.
I’ve known people with talent for art (in particular, painting (in greater particular colors as significant elements in their work)) and it;s fascinating to watch them compare variations of ‘the same color’. That there is a difference for them (in this case, your mother) between Goblin Green and Demon Green* is clear. That I don’t see the distinction is also clear. But I know it’s there, for them. And that’s very cool. Because if one person can demonstrate the existence of a different reality (where the differences in color are real), then think of all the other possibilities.
*I made that color up
Love that you made that colour up! As did I with my colours! Fun. It is fascinating to watch Mum compare variations of what I consider to be the same colour. I’m curious to know if you’re more auditory than visual. I certainly am. I can hear far better than I see. Mum is the exact opposite.
I *love* your mother’s advice on how to lift herself out of a funk!! And, I love her painting!! Yes to orange!
As for ‘never be afraid of color’ – I spent most of my life afraid to be colorful, so this sounds refreshing and inspiring to me!
I can see why you’d want to be ‘Francine’s crayon’ *grin* and you kind of energetically are. What a beautiful, heart-warming post.
Thanks for the lovely, joyful comment, Joy. Nice to read on this gloomy, overcast day. I shall have to don some orange and get outside!
I LOVE the orange tree! Your mom is creative inspiration. May we all lead as colorful lives as she is. And clearly she has an eye for shopping. I may borrow her for my next expedition.
Oh I cannot express how much she’d love to be borrowed, Deborah. Shopping, next to painting, is her favourite thing to do!
Color makes the world so much better, doesn’t it? And clearly your mom knows it. She truly is such an inspiration, and her positive attitude is so wonderful. I personally love the orange tree. Hope she’s feeling better!
Thanks, Lana. She left me a message that she was going off to a meeting about her apartment newspaper. Of course she instigated its creation. She’s quite a gal, our Francine.
I buy art sometimes–I prefer representational art. The subject may not be ‘real”, but I should be able to tell what it is.
My main issue with buying art is that my art budget and what the artist needs to charge are often far apart. I can maybe spare $10 for a piece I like, $25 if I’m doing well financially, but the asking price is $300+ to cover labor and materials and the fact that the artist hasn’t sold anything in a month.
You’ve clearly given much thought to your art preferences, Scott. I think that’s half the battle.
I LOVE that your mom enjoys color so much. I tend to notice it when I travel that many other cultures add so much color to their homes, their clothing, every part of their life.
It sounds so fun to be a crayon in your mother’s coloring box. Her painting is adorable!
Isn’t that the truth about travel, Elda. I often come away thinking we live a rather beige life here sometimes …
I agree with “Francine” – I LOVE color!! I love her painting especially BECAUSE of the beautiful orange tree! I love her consignment jacket. I’m sure she has a pair of shoes to match. Bring “Francine” to SLC pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeze?
Oh I do wish I could bring her along with us! Sadly her doc says she shouldn’t travel more than 500 miles or so from home. She’s bustin’ to get away from our dreary, wet January and I might have to zip away for a night or two with her after SLC.
Thanks for the LOL (faulty lighting). As the for the paiting my first thought was that there was a fire in the little village.
I do love color. I’m just not as brave as Francine to wear it!
OH you’ve got me grinning, Kenya! A fire! My brother would love that comment. He tends to tease Mum about this particular painting. Mostly because she is so proud of that “fire” I suspect.
Well, if I can’t own a Francine yet — I can pin her. Which I just did. Sorry about her fall. I’m sure she is sore and that can’t put one in the best mood. I’m 52 and wake up sore after a hard run. No worries about the light. I called the phone company when my first cell phone wasn’t receiving calls. After going around the world with questions finally the helpful service person asked, “Ma’am, is it turned on?”
“It has to be on to receive calls?” And I love the orange tree. I love the jacket.
Oh, Jamie – thanks for the grin. Love the story about your phone. I’ll pass it on to Mom. She’ll love it.
I loved going to the art supply store when I had more sight as a kid. Loved colours and crafts. I would also love to cover my walls with art now that I am grown, in a house of my own, but I have no reference to go by. Not seeing a painting makes it just so hard to pick one I would want. I did find a few on the walls of my cousin’s salon that she was selling for an artist friend of hers, but I didn’t buy them. Awwwww, colours.
Thank you for popping by and leaving this comment, Kerry. It is lovely to connect with you.
Love the stories about your Mum. She is a National Treasure! Her spunk and joy of life is unsurpassed . Yes, I LOVE the orange tree !!
Love the “National Treasure.” I’ll pass it on to her this aft. Having High Tea with her at a pal’s house. Am not having any lunch ‘cept a banana in prep for it. I’ll let you know if I experience that Butter at the Gourmet Warehouse feeling …
Your mom sounds so fun!! I love her outlook on color and life in general!
Thank you! I’ll let her know. Am seeing her tomorrow and I know she’ll be tickled pink. Thanks so much for stopping by and having a read.
I love that painting. The orange tree says it all.
I seriously would buy it.
Your Mom sounds like a riot.
Take care of her and you.
Monica
Aw thank you so very much, Monica for popping in and leaving a comment. Mom is a riot – they honestly broke the mould when they made her. Her days are often busier than mine. Truly. Thank you for your kind words. I’ll tell Mom – she’ll be tickled pink.