I can’t believe I have actually blogged for a month. Well, not exactly, but almost. Only seven days left until my first monthly giveaway Spread the Love. To be entered all you have to do is post a comment on one of the posts (here on this page) or jump to the Grannyism page and leave a comment about your Granny. (if you have already left a comment you are already in)
For my first giveaway I chose one of my paintings “Ms. Spot”
Frame and all it measures 18×14. I used acrylic paints on water color paper, it has a reclaimed frame, and a wire hanger. I have been painting Angels for several years now. I started out just doing it for me and was so pleased when I found other people liked them too.
I try to use reclaimed items whenever possible in an effort to be “green” for the world. Mostly I like to use reclaimed items because I’m thrifty and I love to take something that no one wants and find a use for it.
Someone once ask me “why do you paint all the Angels’ eyes as though they are closed?” My first thought was, they are so much easier to paint. But later, as I pondered the eyes and even wondered if I should start painting them to look open, I realized there was another reason. By looking in someones eyes you can see what they feel, who they are. I’ve already shared with you that I’m a shy person, but I’m also a private person. One of the best things about blogging is the opportunity to write for people who don’t know me. And even better, I don’t have to leave home to do it.
People from here would call it being “backward”. I don’t like to share my feelings with many people-sometimes with no one. My Dad has a word “toucheous”. When I was growing up and was in one of my disagreeable quiet moods he would ask me “Tipper why do you have to be so toucheous?” Just him asking made me mad, sad, indifferent, rebellious or a combination of all of those feelings.
I have read books and articles that highlight the independent, isolated, spirited, determined Appalachian people. Some of the material claims these traits can be traced back to Ireland and Scotland where many of the original Appalachian settlers came from. I don’t know. How could those same traits be passed down from generation to generation? Things change, the lives of native Appalachians today could hardly be compared to those that first settled in the hollers and coves. Yet, I relate to the descriptions given of the quiet, backward, independent, toucheous, spirited Appalachian people.
Maybe I’m the only one who has these feelings, maybe I’m just an ornery person. Post a comment, let me know what you think and how you feel, Ms. Spot needs a home.
Tipper
Excerpt from Mountain Voices by Warren Moors: If I had to go into the city and live. I’d soon die. I have a bad headache if I go to town. And just as far as I can, I stay away from places like that. That’s one reason why I haven’t traveled any more than I have because, well, I just don’t like it. I just want to be in the mountains, and be quiet, and be left alone, and be free. Nancy Suttles
I have been interested for a long time in the history of Appalachia and the theory that the language/dialects spoken there are so close to the original old English language-(and Scotch and Irish) when I found your blog the other day it made me remember when I used to search for books on that subject- and now, thanks to the breadth of the internet, it was very easy to research and discover a wealth of information on that subject- I love the idea that the language spoken today could be, in part, the very words spoken by the first settlers to that area- that has always been part of the fascination and love I have for antiques- the knowledge that some one else used and loved and cherished those same things that I use today-
I love your thoughts. I just assumed that your angels were praying for those whose home they blessed. I have never been labeled as shy, quite the opposite, but I have always appreciated and respected quiet, reserved and shy people. They always seem smarter than the average Joe and they seem like they always know something I don’t. I love the shy people of the world! I loved your comment also about your Dad. I know the exact feelings you mentioned. Hilarious.
I love, love, love that painting.
I’m a true mountain girl at heart. Always felt like I belong there….closest I’ve gotten to live there is Charlotte but we visit the mountains every chance we get. I love the history and folk stories of the Appalachian region and I believe in keeping the culture alive.
I hope I win!! I so love it!!
Thank you for sharing!
Love the Blind Pig and the Acorn. Your angels are lovely.
I know you are shy and quiet but I must say “backward” has never entered my mind 🙂
Wow, what beautiful paintings. I think I like the eyes closed plus it makes sense your reasoning for not painting them open.
Nice blog.
Hi Tipper,
Was introduced to your blog last week and am so excited,you see, I too am an Applachian, born and breed. Born in N.C. and raised in the coal mines of Ky. I wouldn’t trade my life for anyone else’s although I wouldn’t have wanted to raise my own children under such hardships. I guess I have always wanted the best of both worlds. Keep up the good works, enjoy reading all your thoughts. J
I understand, I have been shy/reserved all my life. In school I was called stuck-up.
My mother called me a “home body”. If I was home I wanted to stay there and if I was away I wanted to go home!
My job required me to speak and teach groups from 10 to 90 people. I learned to do it, but I never learned to liked it!
For years I tried to be different from my nature. I fight no more. I like who I am and find that there is a wonderful world to explore inside myself.
I love your angels. I have loved them since you first started to paint them. They are beautiful because you are beautiful!
Each one is a self portrait!!
You go girl! One month (almost).
I love angels…in fact I have an entire curio cabinet full of angels. Mostly Boyds angels that have been given to me by my children. My oldest daughter who passed away a year and half ago cross stitched me a little angel dancing on a cloud. I wonder if she knew time was short.
The shyness is certainly an inborn trait. I was shy as a child but not crippling shy. I now think of myself as what I term a lone wolf. I will be around people but only because I have to. However, I prefer to be alone. My husband was very shy and still is somewhat. My youngest daughter was and still is very shy. When she was about a year old she used to sit in the grocery cart while I was shopping and silently let tears slip down her little cheeks when someone would talk to her. So pitiful.
Your painting is beautiful and your self analysis is impressive – blogging is a great outlet, and you can go at your own pace. Happy 1 month – almost!
I LOVE your angel picture. I can visualize her on my living room wall. That said, whoEVER wins her will have a wall that is graced by her.
I, too, amy shy, or “backward”. I hated that term, growing up. I resented being referred to as if I weren’t in the room by some well meaning relative. “Renna’s backward”. It made it sound like I was of lesser intelligence or something.
I’m still shy, but not nearly so shy as I was when I was younger. The older I get, the less concerned I am with what others think. I also gain confidence as I grow closer to God, I find.
Be blesssed!
I understand completely how you feel. I get in those moods alot, and it doesn’t help if someone comments about it! I just like to be left alone (luckily that doens’t usually apply to my kids!)
I don’t understand the rules..but I’m terrible at following directions anyway. I like your angels…
A whole month of blogging already? Man time is flying. 🙂
Your angel paintings ROCK!!
Sometime I want to talk to you about what you were like in school. Were you shy and quiet? Maybe next week we will resume our Monday night meeting. 🙂