Straddle the Turtle

Learning to slow down, because life's too short ~ ~ ~

A Sweeping Tale

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When I was a girl I was expected to help my mom with chores around our home. Not just to be helpful (though God knows she needed it with our family of eight), but also in order to learn how to care for my own future household. Early on, she taught us the proper way to set the dinner table and how to:

  • wash dishes & clean up the kitchen 
  • use the vacuum & dust the furniture
  • fold “hospital corners” when making beds 
  • iron shirts – at least 5 steps in a particular order
  • sew on a button.                    

Useful skills. Skills she needed a hand with I’m guessing. But she wasn’t a clean-freak; I still love her “clean to the eye” motto, which meant pick up the newspapers and toys so, if company happened to drop by, the house would look neat. She was a practical woman, and I’m thankful for the means I acquired under her casual tutelage.

I have mixed emotions, however, about a story she told me when I was sweeping the kitchen for her one afternoon – a tale my grandmother conveyed to her when she was a girl. It’s about a man who visits a household to observe two girls clean up the floors of the home. The first one sweeps the broom around the room in a flurry finishing in record time! The second uses small brush strokes, slowly and methodically gathering the dirt particles so as not to scatter it or drum up dust in the air. The man selects as the winner the more conscientious of the two – the young woman who took her time and did a thorough job. Yay! What was her prize? She got to be his WIFE!  (It is a primeval story, of course.) 

This morning I felt crunchy crumbs under my toes as I stepped toward the coffeemaker. Too early for the noisy vacuum, I went for the broom to quietly gather the particles. This story about a man choosing his bride based on what is revealed in her approach to sweeping dirt still comes to mind every time I grab a broom. In our garage my husband displays one that has seen it’s better days next to a framed poster of Jasper Johns’ painting entitled Fool’s House. Bob insists on hanging them together prominently – he LOVES this diptych he created. It’s been moving around with us for more than three decades.

broom hanging next to poster of Jasper Johns painting "Fool's House"

Johns’ broom series is engaging because he took an actual broom from his studio, screwed it to a stretched canvas and let it “sweep” an arc of oil paint across the surface. His creative process of using commonplace objects, along with his paint marks and scribbled labels caused a pictorial tension that was new to viewers back in the 60s. His Flag paintings caused more of a sensation and made him famous, but I lived with the broom for so long I believe it influenced me as much as my mother. I collect objects to incorporate into my own paintings. I am known for this among family and friends.

In fact, they add to my stash – save stuff in plastic bags and say, “Here, thought you could use this…” Back when I had a studio in downtown Rockford a fellow artist called to report she’d just driven passed a smashed bucket laying on the corner of Madison & Market that looked like something I could use. It became the background of the lion’s face of St. Mark for my Bible Story series.

image of smashed bucket on canvas for St. Mark (the lion)
Progression of images to create St. Mark (the lion)
image of St. Mark (the lion)
Image of St. Mark the lion

Every walk with Roxy & Ringo is an opportunity to find shapes on the ground to put in paintings. These found objects are organized in shoeboxes and crates stashed under tables and on shelves around my studio. I believe for most artists the creative process involves the use of basic elements of design and lots of practice with their medium. This is true for me as well, but my approach tends to get messy and troublesome before I’m able to organize the best presentation. Especially if I want to include one of my precious found objects. But with care and focus it can become a meditation of making harmony from chaos, and it suits me.

Out of curiosity, I searched my Etsy shop to find that 34% of my items presently shown include imbedded found objects. Here is one of my favorites entitled Grace Note. Grace note defined:

  1. a musical note added as an ornament
  2. a small addition or embellishment
painting called "Grace Note" with found objects in it

References:

  • Jasper Johns, Fool’s House, 1962. Oil on canvas with broom, sculptural towel, stretcher and cup. 182.9 x 11.4 cm. Private collection, on loan to Walker Art Center, Minneapolis © Jasper Johns / VAGA, New York / DACS, London 2017.
  • Flag https://www.moma.org/collection/works/78805
  • https://www.everypainterpaintshimself.com/article/jasper_johns_fools_house_1964
  • Jasper Johns painting series of brooms:  https://artillerymag.com/outside-la-jasper-johns/
  • A “found objects” search of my Etsy.com/shop/GrantviewStudio

Newsletter: If Winter comes…

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Season’s Greetings from Grantview Studio!

photo of snow in our neighborhood

Last week we experienced the first blanket of snow in our neighborhood. The first is always enchanting as we look out the windows from our cozy home. But soon the novelty wears thin as driveways need to be plowed, walkways shoveled, and slick pavement can be treacherous!

I don’t mind the winter months. They allow me to hunker down and get more work accomplished in my studio. My husband is the opposite; Bob can’t wait for Winter Solstice to arrive, as the waning of daylight hours ends and days begin to grow longer again. He thrives on the warmth of sunlight. 

In other writings I have mentioned that my mother suffered from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). I remember visiting her one winter when she was quite gloomy. It was Bob who lifted her spirits by showing her the calendar. It was just a few days before December 21st. He reminded her that as soon as we pass that marker, there would be more light each day until Spring arrives. It was with this precious memory in mind that I created our Holiday Greeting card this year. 

The phrase “If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?” had been running through my mind lately. I couldn’t remember where I’d read it, so I researched and found that it is the final line of Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “Ode to the West Wind”. I use symbolism in my artwork, so I began to imagine a way to convey the hope and optimism of his poem. 

After the leaves fall, berries remain to nourish the animals and birds who stay through the winter. There are lots of winter scenes depicting birds perched on snow-laced branches with berries, and I wanted to do my version of this.

Towards the end of a long winter, when I spot a robin, I sense the coming of Spring. In my research I was amused to read that robins can get tipsy on berries and crabapples that have fermented after a frost.

painting of robin on a branch with berries, blue sky and Chinese Lantern plants in the snow below

Also, Chinese Lanterns are an unusual addition for a winter holiday scene, but when I was walking Roxy & Ringo one day I admired these bright orange, bell-shaped husks growing near the edge of someone’s property. In fact, that lovely neighbor insisted I take some home to plant the seeds. I incorporated these decorative plants into the painting because the color of the robin’s breast combines the red berries and orange Lanterns. And the Lanterns represent a way to shine light.

The work on this holiday card began as a watercolor, but as I tried to make the robin’s breast just the right color of red/orange, I overworked the layers of paint. Watercolor is a tricky medium. And then there was the problem of adding white for snow – a BIG “no-no” in the world of purists. I am not a watercolor purist, but I have friends who are; they tell me white areas for them can only be the color of the paper. This means you really need to plan ahead, which I did not in this case.

tubes of gauche paint and mixing tray

To solve these problems I gathered my tubes of gauche “design colors”. What began as a delicate transparent rendering, became a formation of opaque layers. But I enjoyed this process so much that I’ve decided to try it on a study for “Children Climbing a Tree” – a painting still in the planning stages. Thankfully the patron who commissioned this piece is not in a rush and has left me free to decide on any medium I want. I’m excited to try this!

The novel Testimony by Paul Turelli has been recently published. I created the cover with the author’s guidance earlier this year. He had a specific look in mind for this book – super fun to do!

Paul has commissioned me for the cover of his next novel, The Magdalene House. I’ve begun reading the manuscript and am really looking forward to this project!

Testimony, a novel by Paul Turelli
The Story of Straddle the Turtle by Barbara Grant as a zine

I did a little self-publishing of my own by illustrating and setting my “Straddle the Turtle” story in zine form, which is available on my shop site. I love making zines! The text and drawings are in the works for my next one entitled Deep Down in my soul #3: I Desire a Simple Life. 

I also love making bookmarks. It’s a great way to use up scraps of expensive watercolor paper. Like my notecards, they are helpful as “warm-up exercises” to test color combinations, brush techniques and unique designs. I’m planning to add a variety of them to my shop soon.

hand-painted bookmarks with tied ribbons

One final story from me: I have a friend living near Seattle who I’ve known since we were teenagers. I can count on one hand how many times we’ve seen each other in person since she moved to Washington, but we stay connected via phone, text, birthday cards, etc. The first time I received a hand-painted postcard from her, I laughed with delight! Sent without the protection of an envelope, her charming watercolor was exposed to the possibility of being sullied by transport through snail mail all the way to Wisconsin.

original watercolor postcards, front & back

I loved the fact that her artistic expression was sent with such abandon, not deeming her artwork so precious that its loss or ruin would be the end of the world! I learned from this unassuming action of hers. It’s a lesson in being less anxious and more playful. I’ve been sending them to her now, too.

It’s kind of thrilling to wonder if it will make it or not…

News & photos from Bob:

My sailing on Lake Michigan ended mid-October but boating continued on a late-October visit to my son Bob’s new lake home on Lake Norman, North Carolina.

I’m hoping to get back to golfing again after successful hand surgery.  First attempts began in November where my son, Scott, installed a big screen golf simulator system in his garage on Whitewater Lake, Wisconsin. Winter golfing in Wisconsin!

I still enjoy my contract photography work for a Regional Insurance Company.  Included here are some early winter scenes that grabbed my attention during a work day.

cow laying in snow looking at camera man
You lookin’ at me?
photo of sheep huddled together near a fence
Keeping Warm
2 rusty bicycles near an old shed
Rust Never Rests
old rusty truck covered with snow
Driving to Spring

Let’s get past Winter Solstice and start the countdown to Summer Solstice!

A day in the lives of Roxy & Ringo

Roxy and Ringo love their groomer, Amy. She gives them lots of tasty treats so they will cooperate as she shampoos, shaves, clips, and otherwise makes them feel soft and fluffy again. But they’d really rather not “go there”. How they know when I am about to take them, I’m not sure. But they won’t budge no matter how cheerful I make this outing sound. However…

dogs not budging from under the table

It’s amazing what treats can do.

two dogs waiting with master near pantry where treats are kept
Pantry where treats are kept
Ringo, Bob with treats, Roxy
Ringo, Bob with treats, Roxy
dog in back seat riding home after grooming
Ride home after grooming
Roxy & Ringo posing in living room all groomed
Groomed, fluffy & clean

Thank you for your continued interest in our Grantview Studio family,

Barb, Bob, Roxy & Ringo

🙏

Happy Holidays! dogs with toys under the table

Annotation:

The shape of a tree

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It has been a beautiful autumn in the Midwest. I didn’t want to miss out on any of it as we drove to spend a few days with family in North Carolina, but our timing was right; we travelled through hills and mountains of delightful color along the way. 

photo of back of truck driving on highway in ‎⁨Pisgah National Forest⁩, ⁨Clyde⁩, ⁨Tennessee Valley⁩, ⁨United States⁩
‎⁨Pisgah National Forest⁩, ⁨Clyde⁩, ⁨Tennessee Valley⁩, ⁨United States⁩

Many of my friends say this is their favorite time of year. My mother loved the fall colors but what followed – the gray and brown shades of November – began her descent into an annual bout of Seasonal Affective Disorder. *

I feel fortunate that I don’t mind winter in Wisconsin. To me it is a productive time to hunker down in my studio without the distractions of pleasant weather and lots of fun things to do outside. You just have to put on more clothing! Since I’m outside to walk my dogs daily, I have an ample collection of coats, hats, gloves, scarves and boots. While Roxy & Ringo sniff and explore, I am able to observe the changes in our neighborhood. 

This time of year what I really enjoy are the shapes of trees. The leaves have dropped to reveal the contours of their branches and crowns. It makes me want to photograph them! Draw them! Draw them with crows and vultures…or abandoned nests of twigs. They light up my imagination with ideas. Mostly I just admire them for their beauty.

photo of tall tree with no leaves
Elm tree at ‎⁨Lynden Sculpture Garden⁩, ⁨River Hills⁩, ⁨Wisconsin⁩

I remember standing in the middle of my childhood living room practicing the memorization of the poem I was to recite in front of my class the next day! Recently I reminded my sister of this and she was able to proudly spout the whole thing from memory:

Trees

by Joyce Kilmer

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

(Poetry Foundation.org)

photo of dogs looking out the back of the Subaru
Ringo & Roxy looking out the back of the Subaru

*(Seasonal Affective Disorder) 

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