I haven’t painted a folkart piece in I don’t know when. Once I went back to work full time it seemed like my painting time kept getting narrower and narrower until it completely faded away.
Even though most of the paintings above sold a long time ago, thanks to technology, I’m still able to use the images as prints. I just added a variety of handmade greeting cards to the Blind Pig & the Acorn Etsy Shop most of which are made with prints of my folkart paintings. (you can click on the photo above for a better view of some of the cards)
See the very first card in the photo-that says Wonder? Let me tell you a story about the painting. It’s titled Wilson and Judy. Wilson and Judy are the acorns the angel is holding.
Several years ago, after watching the movie Castaway, Chatter decided she needed a “pet” named Wilson too. For some unknown reason the child picked an acorn (a small acorn-Wilson is the little one in the photo). Do you know how easy it is to lose an acorn? Well I can tell you-very easy for a busy little girl.
She was constantly losing Wilson and constantly crying for someone to find him. You know who the someone was-me. I finally found her this little black box, thinking at least the box would be easier to find than the acorn.
Her cousin, and fellow Indian Princess, decided Wilson was lonely-so she found Judy (the big acorn) for Chatter and even made Judy a bed out of a nut hull. Thankfully Judy fit in the box with Wilson-bed and all.
Chatter continued misplacing the box-now losing 2 acorns. The last time she lost the box-it took 3 days and dismantling the back of the couch before we found it. After that, I convinced Chatter to keep the box on the shelf beside her bed for safekeeping.
I was inspired to paint the folkart angel with the acorns one day when I was thinking of how aggravated I got about something as small as 2 acorns-something that brought Chatter great joy. Looking back, I wish I had encouraged her imagination-even got Granny to crochet them a bed or a little acorn sweater. Now Chatter has out grown her need for Wilson and Judy. The acorns still reside somewhere in her college girl room and the painting Wilson and Judy hangs in my bedroom.
Chitter made jewelry like crazy during the month she had off from college. I convinced her to let me add some of it to my shop-you know Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. You can find it in Chitter’s Jewelry Section. If you’d like to see the Blind Pig & the Acorn Etsy Shop in it’s entirety go here.
Tipper
Wow, Tipper, you and your family are just sweet gifts to all of us…reminding us to stop a second and smell the roses or grasp and acorn or cherish a memory or sing a song, or remember an old saying…like “let the cat die.” My Dad would be pushing me in a swing, he was getting tired and would tell me, “now let the cat die” and the swing would start to slow down as the wind would tickle my face.
Thanks, Tipper.
I love your beautiful art and the jewelry that your pretty daughter makes. Your etsy shop is one of my favorites.
I saw those heart shaped earrings and thought, Sold! I went shopping for them and apparently, yes, they were- Oh well, I’ll keep stopping by. Beautiful shop, I wish you lots of success!!!
Tipper,
Several years ago at one of your
concerts and artist shows, I found two of your paintings.They were called “Adventure” and when one of my granddaughters saw them hanging in my office, a funny thing happened. Ellie cocked her little head sideways and told me that I
had two paintings of a little
orange-haired girl just alike.
When I told her one was for her,
she let loose that million-dollar
smile. It’s still hanging in her
bedroom…Ken
how much fun is that story –
I feel so blessed to have one of your pieces of art – i’ll text you a picture of where it hangs. Much love – Many prayers
For PinnacleCreek, We had a daughter. My time searching under sofas, etc with the flashlight was spent looking for a lizard, frog, praying mantis, etc that she had captured and brought in to keep. She had to hide them from mom so they always somehow got out of her room and into other parts of the house. Girls are just as creative and curious as boys. They are exploring and learning. She also had a feather to hold at bedtime which often got lost and required a search.
Tipper. I remember a post some time back about Wilson and Judy that reminded me of my daughter’s escapades.
Tipper,
I loved your story about the
“acorns” in your family!
I think you were real clever to find a box to store the acorns. Maybe these acorns are Chatters good luck pieces like “buckeyes” were, when my Mom and Dad were children. This tradition was passed on to me. After finally finding my first buckeye tree and picking up a pocketful, I carried them around always! Even finding them, often forgotten, in the corner of my pocketbooks, and yes, they went in the new pocketbook every time I changed to another bag! For me that is not too often. I tend to attach to a bag, not changing except seasonally, so that’s four times a year! Well, sometimes a dressy bag change for a special occasion. I have a friend that changes bags/pocketbooks daily as if they were her underwear! LOL
I love your angels! I would like to copy one. Cut out the pieces. Cut me a 16 x 16 square, and piece/applique that angel right on there and make me a pillow!
Would you give me permission to do that?
Thanks Tipper,
PS…I don’t know when I will find my “round-to-it” but I put these type of things in a file in the corner of my mind. Sometimes, the file falls open and out pops a project. That is why I could never promise a painting, a crocheted piece, a pillow top, a painted bird house, etc. etc. to anyone on time. That’s just the way my mind rolls… or doesn’t.
Isn’t the mind of a child wonderful? It is amazing how small things make their minds go wild and keeps their imagination working. Something so small and free can just keep them happy. That was a wonderful story as well as a memory. I plan to explore the store.
Oh my, I’d forgotten all about Wilson and Judy. It’s nice to know that they are alive and well….somewhere in Chitter’s room.
I still love your Angels just as much as ever. I have two to hang in my new home whenever I get around to hanging pictures. I look on each of them as a very special blessing.
Tip, I am astonished with Chitter’s progress with the jewelry making. She is doing some really remarkable work with beads! Remember, this month that she was doing so much work with the jewelry she was also learning to crochet from Granny!
All the stuff in the Etsy shop are beautiful!
I love your sweet story and your wonderful cards. The jewelry is beautiful too.
Pam
scrap-n-sewgranny.blogspot.com
What creativity, what stories, what utter wonder reside under the Pressley roof! I so enjoyed the painting (turned now into a greeting card) and the story of Wilson and Judy! And did I miss an entry that told WHY you named the gift shop the “ETSY” Shop? I sense a story behind that name!
Today in my posted devotional I wrote about “Walk with a Sense of Wonder.” I see you always doing that, Tipper! Thank you for sharing with us!
Absolutely loved the story about Chatter and Wilson. I cannot imagine how you ever kept up with round acorns. Don’t ever feel badly for not taking more advantage of that stage in Chatter’s development, as it seems you have done a wonderful job with both girls-still are.
It has always been argued which is harder to raise girls or boys. Little boys are a “mess” as I found out with grandchildren. I can’t count the times I have crawled around with flashlight looking under beds and couches for a little car with 24 on the side. Sometimes this was a reminder to attack the dust bunnies. Relish every moment!
I remain amazed at the talent in your family! It is wonderful what can be accomplished when children are encouraged.