Sunday, August 24, 2008

Just a House?

1157 Main-The Historic Hill Home
Saturday I finished my painting for the MGA Auction. The painting had to be something from Jasper County. I painted three things from this area...this is the one I settled on. For the past 8 to 10 years I have been coming to Carthage to attend different art shows and art fairs and I have always been deeply impressed by the historic homes here. There are several different styles from the late 1800's to the early and mid-1900's. From austere and imposing mansions to layered tiers of gingerbread looking just short of an overly decorated cake. I love them all. I think about the lives that might have gone on in each one and the generations of care and love dwelling in each one. My mind pictures women attired in flowing dresses cutting flowers from their garden to display in the grand entry halls. Children racing up and down the stairs hands gliding along the silky smooth wooden banisters. Daily tasks of washing and housekeeping and cooking in the large spacious kitchens. Parties held to commemorate a birthday, baptism or graduation. Victorian Christmases and large gatherings of family and friends at Thanksgiving.
The streets are lined here with maple trees, lush and green in the hot summer and turning red and fiery in the fall. There is even a festival in the honor of the trees. Things have not changed much since those early days in Carthage. Their is still a feeling of quiet continuity and history..... a feeling of community pride and planning. No city, town or berg is perfect. Yet in so very many ways this town is. I feel very comfortable here...always have since I first read about Carthage 17 years ago.
I was looking for a place to live in the Midwest. I wanted to live in Carthage but couldn't at the time and settled on Kansas. My family has Midwest roots on my Dad's Scotch-Irish side,haling from Illinois and Missouri via Kentucky and North Carolina, my Mother's side is straight from Italy with a bit of Russian thrown in. (Yes I have also done my genealogy!!) There was a continual draw to come back here after growing up in California and living in Hawaii, Utah and Oregon. I can honestly say I have been very happy here in so many ways...largely because of the generosity and friendliness of the people and the quiet laid back lifestyle. I enjoy a good city trip...but after growing up in Beverly Hills, California...I crave the peaceful honesty I find here!
But I digress...as usual...and to finish up the story about the painting....it is a home that to me embodies the past present and future of this area. At any given moment one can drive by that house and see children playing, kittens in numbers on the front porch (Max said he saw two and I counted three but Max said he then saw six and that was just so he would not be out done..teehee). There are always flowers in bloom and people on the porch...it is a home and not just a house. That's why I painted it!!! Later I will show pictures of our little Victorian....not grand...but very homey indeed! I am also including a picture of the home I grew up in for most of my younger years.
One last note.....I am like everyone else...overwhelmed by the Olympics and the closing ceremonies....to some it up...it does instill hope and a promise for mankind....if we only play fair, do our personal best and choose the right thing!
And I am off to go start getting stuff ready for our vacation!
Living happily,
Theresa
The Home I Grew Up In

24 comments:

David Lobenberg said...

Holy s--t!...you grew up in one heck of a "house". I like the way this painting lays emphasis on the porch/enty of the house through its overall darker values.

Theresa Rankin said...

LOL! I know....but it was a long time ago! Thank you for your support, David, I always appreciate it!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous paintings!!
Best,
Areil

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you, Areil!! I appreciate your visit!

Carol Schiff Daily Painting said...

Theresa, Wonderful, wonderful! I cannot imagine how you must have labored (or I would have) to get everything just so. It is out of this world!

Thanks for the nice comment on my site. Carol

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you Carol....I love to hear from you. Yes, there was some laboring...mostly because the home had to be recognizable as the one I intended it to be. For the most part though it fell together rather easily...especially the front porch and the foreground planters, curb, etc. The need for perspective was paramount and it did take some time to get some of the angles correct. I really appreciate your feedback.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Theresa,

I left you a long post on this
super painting yesterday, and suddenly poof it was gone. When that
happens I think it's the celestial
editor. So maybe this one will
vanish too.

Was your childhood house in California? It looks more like a mansion.

I so appreciate your comments too.
Discovering your writing and your
art is a tremendous pleasure.

Barbara

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you, Barbara...yes my childhood home was in California...Beverly Hills to be exact...another somewhat incredible story! Yes, it was a mansion....I left at an early age for Hawaii to to do my own thing...there were good and bad things about growing up in Southern California. Sorry about the disappearing post...I would have loved to hear your thoughts. I don't delete any comments...good or bad.
Theresa

Marian Fortunati said...

Absolutely lovely paintings!! I also love your stories.... Congrats on being able to create such beauty.. on canvas, in words and in life!

charmaine said...

wow! your blog is beautiful. what a beautiful gift you have. i absolutely love your paintings. Gorgeous! i found you through checking my feedjit. someone was looking at my blog by way of your blog. i thank you that you have me on your blog list. i had to add you to mine. your blog is definately a beautiful thing to share. thank you!


God Bless,
charmaine

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Theresa,

I think I said more or less the same
thing as you've already read. I love
your painting of the house, and it reminds me of some of the stately homes in Toronto. Then your
photo of your childhood home was too much!!! You haven't said much about it so it creates yet another mystery.
Great writing, and painting.
Just a really wonderful and inspiring blog.

Anonymous said...

Theresa, I saw your comment on another blog and came for a visit. All I can say is Dang!! I've really enjoyed seeing the work you do.
Eldon

theresamillerwatercolors said...

Theresa, lovely entry, you are a wonderful writer, as well as an amazing artist! Have a wonderful day and happy painting!

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you Marian for staying in touch! I appreciate your support! Hope you are producing more wonderful work!!

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you so much Charmaine!!!! It is an honour to be on your beautiful page!!

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you Eldon!! I left you a comment on your outstanding work!

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you Theresa!! Nice name huh!! LOL! I enjoy hearing from you very much and love looking at your watercolours with awe....I pretty much am lost in that medium!

Theresa Rankin said...

Lol..Barbara...i do like a good mystery!!I will elaborate more on the childhood home mystery at some point in time!!!

indiaartist said...

Love your reflections and the story. Keep up the good work, best wishes

Art By Erika said...

Your warm response to the house is evident on your painting Theresa!

And I can't believe your childhood home wow! You are such a down-home person and so not-Beverly Hills fancy pants! Maybe it's a good thing you left young lol! Thanks for sharing!

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you India artist!! I am leaving on vacation shortly and will visit your site on my return.

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you Erika!! I purposely left Beverly Hills because I was not compatible with the ethics and values of most people there. I have chose to live "poor" for most of my adult life as I saw what money does to some people. The shallow and self-serving attitude of most people there...and the unrealistic attitude on beauty and possesions is very far from my natural personality...which by the way is compliments of my Dad and Italian Grandpa. I will return from vacation around the 6th of Sept. and play catch up.
Love, Theresa

http://www.onpainting.wordpress.com said...

Great painting. I love porches. I was walking around in California this weekend wishing I could find a house with a porch.

Beautiful job.

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you Lisa....I am happy you like it!! There are so many places in California that I remember that would be great paintings....I look forward to seeing you capture them!!!