Paintings

A few years ago, Sis wanted to have family photos taken of us for our mom. We ultimately decided on The Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens because it’s just such a beautiful place.

While we were there, we wandered around throughout the Art gallery, and I fell in love with two different paintings. I took down their info in hopes of being able to one day order a copy or print of them, but never did end up doing it. I kept the info hidden away, just in case I got a wild hair and decided to buy one.

This morning, I sat down to do some work on the computer, and for some reason, those two paintings popped into my head. So, I looked them up, and found a site that sells them as a print, have it framed, or have it put on canvas. I absolutely would love to have both framed, since apparently the Huntington Library has no intention of selling the paintings they have. Ha!
One would go in our living room, and the other in our bedroom. And I would most definitely rearrange both rooms to accommodate.

The Halfway House by David Gilmour Blythe (1815-1865). Painted in 1863.

The devastation caused by the storm that blew through this little town, makes my heart sink. These could have been bad guys. They could have been bank robbers trying to get away when the storm toppled them. Or they could be a husband and wife trying to get their son to school. Whatever the reason, this painting made me feel something that day, and I want it hanging in my living room. I want to constantly be reminded that even though obstacles, troubles, or storms are always there to bring us down, us together can get through anything.

The Dying Sea Gull by Elihu Vedder (1836-1923). Painted in 1879.

The sadness I felt when I saw this painting made me immediately stop in my tracks while I was walking through the gallery. I stood staring at it like it was the most amazing thing I’d ever seen. I got up real close. I stood across the room. I stood next to it. And I sat underneath it. No matter the angle from which I viewed this piece, it was captivating. As I begin to think about what this painting was depicting, tears rolled down my face. Was it because the one seagull was concerned or worried about their friend that was dying? Was it because this seagull didn’t want to lose its mate or child? Was it because it made me angry when I thought about the flying seagull getting ready to land and eat his dead coflyer? Either way, I knew this needed to be hanging above my bed. Every night when I lay down to sleep, I want to look up at this painting and be reminded that I have people in my life today that will help me, even when the rest of the flock has flown.

I didn’t grow up in a museum of famous paintings. The stuff that hung on the walls in my house were flower paintings, or clocks, or cooking utensils, or boy bands. When I went home that evening, I was surprised by the emotions I felt by just looking at a couple of paintings. It was unexpected and kind of shocking. I guess I walked away with a deeper appreciation for art.

Do you have a favorite piece?