This is not my own memory - as so often happens, when I am showing my memory paintings to someone, their memories are jiggled and they recount them to me. I was particularly struck by my friend Judith's memory of going into her father's private space after he died and seeing a lot of war memorial poppies hanging up. She knew his best friend was killed in the war - perhaps her Dad bought a poppy every year for his mate and remembered him in his quiet moments. With Judith's permission, I painted my mental image - I'm sure many details are not correct but as Judith said, the picture would represent many men of her father's generation who remembered in private.Now in Judith's collection.
7 comments:
What a poignant story, and a wonderful gift for your friend! This is a post I will remember.
I'm not sure I've ever seen a painting of a memory that isn't the artist's ... Interesting idea and a thoughtful piece.
I remember those poppies from my childhood. What a wonderful memory and now she has physical record of it.
What a lovely memorial. I still buy poppies. Not that I lost any one in the wars, they all came home.
Alison, this is fantastic. I sooo love your way with images and the emotions they bring up.
That is so poignant! It makes your eyes tear up just reading about it. Your sketch does an excellent job of imagining the scene in both its ordinariness and its impact.
Even the tools seem flower-like, all perky on their board. I agree with e-j -- how cool to be doing paintings of someone else's memories. You are so creative!
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