Grandma Moses is my inspiration to this post…
At over 70 years of age, Anna Moses, aka Grandma Moses, took up painting. As she began painting, her early paintings were gifts to family and friends, who cherished them, despite Mary’s lack of formal artistic training. (This is where I am with my paintings right now).
Her art improved over the years, although remained in the eyes of many as simplistic and out of perspective at times.
Up until two years ago, I had never painted a painting, but, always wanted to. So one afternoon, while strolling around the northshore, Michael and I passed a local Hawaiian artist’s gallery, and were told that the artist was coming to Kauai and would be holding a painting class.
I signed up. Met the artist, learned some beginner techniques of oil painting, and within a short time, had completed my very first oil painting just before I turned fifty. Heck, Popo Joy has more than twenty years on Grandma Moses.
I gave this, my first completed painting, Summer Beach, to Michael for Father’s Day 2010, and he hangs it in his man cave (his office).
Shortly after completing Michael’s painting, my sister, Peggy, was here visiting. I had just begun my second painting. She saw Michael’s painting, and asked if she could have my next.
That fall, I met my two big sisters for our wonderful sister week in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and I brought my second completed painting with me, Reflections of Hanalei, and gave it to Peggy for her birthday.
A Hebrew blessing that Big Daddy (Michael’s dad) often recites, was the inspiration for my third painting, Hanalei Sunset Blessing.
Big Daddy arrived in Kauai for his annual visit surrounding Thanksgiving, and my third completed painting became Big Daddy’s Hanukkah gift that year.
While on a lovely tour of Na ‘Aina Kai Botanical Garden in Kilauea during Big Daddy’s visit, I had taken a photo of a beautiful orchid plant in shades of pink, mom’s favorite color. That photo became the inspiration for my fourth painting.
Last fall, Max and I visited my mom, and my big sister, Carrie and Ruby. I was happy to give my mom my fourth completed painting, Orchid ‘o Kaua’i.
I have found my inspiration and just began my fifth painting. I am excited to complete this one.
It too, will be a gift. Can’t tell you who’s getting this one yet…I think they should be the first to know.
I am just beyond fifty… and not sure if I’m a painter yet, but I have completed four oil paintings, and started a fifth…
So, I’m thinking I have definitely awoken my inner-painter…better late, than never.
I know you might think this sounds silly, but I would watch Bob Ross and the Joy of Painting and follow everything he would do, and it actually helped. He might look a little strange but boy does that man know how to paint.
Mahalo for sharing that! Not silly, I have learned so much about cooking from watching Foodnetwork. Wish it worked the same way with those workout shows.
Hi Joy!
I love your paintings! You’re very talented! I doubt you know, but I’ve enjoyed following your blog for some time now! Jadah shared it a while back, and I often look forward to reading your thoughtful posts and seeing all the great photos you share. I hope all is well!
Mahalo!
Sincerely,
Angela Isaac
Aloha Angela!
Happy that you enjoy my blog, and that you know Jadah. I’ll keep sending them out there.
Warm and sunny regards.
Mahalo nui loa,
Joy