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9/03/2008

Mama's Painting

What you see below is the very wet painting I've done for Hyphen Mama. This painting is a trade (I don't want to cheapen what she did for me by saying this painting is payment for it. It is not payment. It's my way of saying 'Thank You' for an incredibly thoughtful act of kindness she performed on my behalf. And NO, don't go there.) for the rubbing she took off the Traveling Viet Nam Memorial of the name of Gordon M. 'Jimmy' Briggs, my friend who was shot and killed three weeks before we were to come home.



The painting is oil on canvas covered board toned with acrylic. It is 11x14 and will be framed in a 'weathered' wood frame. You see the painting as it sits on my easel, in the family room, in my corner 'studio'.

If it doesn't dry up soon, I'm gonna drive it out there myself. The hell with shipping.

Tomorrow, along with the next episode of The Kid, we will enjoy the first public showing of Vikki North's portrait of The Kid.

39 comments:

Jientje said...

I hope the sudden storm does not shipwreck the boat. It 's so peaceful awaiting it's fate.
I love the reflection in the water.
I saw a storm rolling in like that, when I made pictures of a windmill only a few weeks ago.
I also made a picture AFTER the storm. I love storms.

Elizabeth said...

Very nice, Lou! I love the colors of the water. I'm sure Hyphen Mama will love it! :)

Shadow said...

that's great! calm waters, the boat, magnificent clouds, the colouring AND your talent. i feel peaceful looking at it. it's SUPER!

Anonymous said...

Really beautiful. I just love all the blue tones. You do delivery? Cool. ;)

Jientje said...

You were in Vietnam Lou?
Oh My GOD!

GirlBlue said...

Lovely painting Lou, she is a lucky woman not only to receive it but to have it hand delivered as well

calicobebop said...

Wow! What an incredible painting! It looks so peaceful and serene - she's very lucky!

Michael said...

So as well as being a succesful writer you are a famous painter as well, my AA sponsor does a bit of painting, some of his pictures you can even recognise what he is trying to paint.
Great are hobbies arnt they

Myst_72 said...

Lovely Lou - serene.

You were in Vietnam? - fascinating.

G
xx

Christy said...

Beautful Lou!

She's a lucky woman.

Joyce-Anne said...

It is absolutely beautiful, Lou. I love the calm and tranquil setting.

www.ayewonder.com said...

A Vet for Obama? Wow....I don't think there are many of those.

Ndinombethe said...

You already know my thoughts on this one Lou. Especially love the reflection of the boat... such depth.

Melissa said...

Excellent work! Thanks for letting us have a look at it, too. :)

Expat No. 3699 said...

What a lovely 'Thank you'. I'm sure she will appreciate it.

Holly said...

Aw! That painting looks great! Reminds me of Apalachicola.

Unknown said...

I'm just giddy.

I've struggled to give words to the feeling this painting gives me, but I think Shadow said it best: peaceful. With a sense of urgency and wonderment at what lies ahead. Just like life.

Anonymous said...

Beauty, Lou.
The painting, your friendship, the kindness.

Audubon Ron said...

Cool, how good are you with swamp scenes?

Jientje said...

About that giggling in the most inappropriate places?
I think it's contagious, but the problem is ... You see that inappropriate place is my own house. My hubbs looks at me like I'm some kind of extra terrestrial. He can't seem to get it, and I don't think I can explain!! Somehow I think this is the oldest story in the world!
Sorry. Or are you gonna say that's not funny too?

Anonymous said...

Someday we will have to make some kind of agreement to trade pieces of art! Deal?

Unknown said...

jientje: I have many more pictures of the boat to paint. They're in my head. The boat isn't wrecked.

elizabeth: She does. She likes it a lot.

shadow: Thank you, so much.

maggies mind: It all depends on how long it takes that sucker to dry.

jientje: Yes, I was.

girl blue: Thank you. It's not necessary to ahnd deliver - yet.

calicobebop: Thank you. That'sa nice thing to say.

michael: Okay. Not successful. Not famous. Just me. And I write and I paint. And take pictures.

myst_72: Yes, I was in Viet Nam. And I'm glad you like the painting.

christy: Thank you, ma'am. I'm the one who's lucky.

joyce-anne: Thank you. Very much.

ayewonder: Being a Vet doen't mean I stopped thinking.

tash: The color of the water just ... happened.

melissa: You're welcome. Hyphen Mama saw it before I published it here.

employee: She does, she does.

holly ATOM: I'll have to go there some day.

hyphen mama: That's the most important opinion - the one for whom the painting was made.

witchypoo: Thank you witchy. Very much.

audubon ron: I've never tried one - send me a picture ...

jientje: No, sweetheart - I totally understand.

Unknown said...

secretagentmama: Mishi, I'm in.

Joyce-Anne said...

I never thanked you (and Hyphen Mama) for sharing the painting with us. I can understand why Hyphen Mama loves it so. It's beautiful.

Unknown said...

joyce-anne: Oh, you are more than welcome. And thank you for the compliment.

Jientje said...

*Sigh*
gee thanks Lou!

Crafty Green Poet said...

there's a wonderful depth to the painting, lovely

Patsy said...

This was definately worth the wait to see. Nice touch with the reflection of the boat --- and skies as blue as the sky in the Texas panhandle in late August. Now if they just had a lake to go along with it. :) I anxiously await the unveiling of *the Kid* tomorrow. Hope not to be so late getting to read --- not working tomorrow. Part of the joys of being a sub is getting to pick when you work.

Jientje said...

Sorry, I just can't seem to go to bed without a goodnight kiss....
See you in the morning, ;-)

Unknown said...

jientje: You are most welcome.

Crafty Green Poet: Thank you.

Patsy: Have a nice day, tomorrow. The colors in that painting just seemed to find me.

jientje: MWAH. Good night, Princess.

OHmommy said...

How sweet of you Lou.

I am off to Chicago in a month. Do you need anything from the Windy City?

ConverseMomma said...

The painting is beautiful as was both of your gestures of friendship. Thank you for sharing it all.

Eve Grey said...

Love it Lou. It's so lonely and peaceful.

moneythoughts said...

Nice painting Lou.

Hope you had a nice holiday. Thanks for the kind words. The weekend went well. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I love it. It has such an amazing amount of contrast. Striking use of the color. Well done.

Momisodes said...

So worth the wait! I love the calm waters, the reflection, and the brilliant blue skies above.

Thank you for sharing this and the story behind why you painted it.

Hope it dries soon!

Crimzen Creative said...

Amazing and how thoughtful of you both :-) My Father was in Nam - in the Navy, USS Essex and had to go to shore to rescue some wounded soldiers, one of which was his cousin who later died - I can only imagine how much this favor meant to you.

KG said...

I'm jealous! Not only because she's getting a fab painting, but because you actually know her. Which is awesome.

Love her!

Anonymous said...

This is probably the Best "Thank you" *note* that I've ever seen.
Beautiful!