Limelights on my friends

Grantview Studio Spring Newsletter

04.25.2025 by Barbara Grant //

Greetings from Grantview Studio!

Last year’s trip to Belgium generated some good things 🌷

It has been one year since our family travelled to Belgium to visit the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery where my husband’s birth father is buried. Sgt. Robert Grant was killed at the Battle of the Bulge in 1944. Since returning Bob has created a grotto in our back yard to remember his dad, and we’ve stayed in touch with the woman who volunteered to visit the cemetery on our behalf.

She recently emailed photos of her latest visit to place a bouquet of red roses and reported removing bird droppings from the top of the cross.

This prompted Bob’s comment, “Must have been a bird resting there.” Things like this make it into my journal – possible ideas for compositions.

If my journal entry is difficult to read, it basically records that I learned the common Kestrel is the national bird of Belgium, so I made a quick sketch of Mr. Kestrel perched on the cross of Sgt. Robert Grant.

My brother-in-law Paul, a writer, became fascinated by the account in my last newsletter about the reuniting of father and son after 80 years. It inspired him to write the story, spending countless hours digging into legal documents, letters, telegrams, photos, newspaper clippings, researching locations and interviewing anyone who might help fill in the gaps of a life almost forgotten. Our pingpong table was piled with artifacts, and he and Bob created a timeline on an adjacent wallboard. The source of my husband’s yearning for most of his life was being unearthed and finally taking shape after all those years. Paul’s sensitivity to the emotional roller coaster this caused in our family is something for which we cannot repay.

He titled the story Grant’s View and invited me to create the artwork for the eBook & Paperback. On the front cover I incorporated the use of a drawing that is not mine. It is a portrait of Bob’s dad in uniform. Martin Balow is the artist who sketched him from life. (His tiny initials can be seen on the lower right side.) Sgt. Grant then lovingly addressed the drawing to his wife Marie. We found this original drawing in her box of letters.

From the first time I laid eyes on this gem, I understood what a precious record it was. Any trained artist would note the choices made: the variety of pressure of pencil point to paper, the economy of line, the tenderness rendered – a meditation of truth transferred to the page. I marvel that the facial features depicted are recognizable in Robert’s offspring, the men and grandchildren in my life.

I hope someday we may learn the whereabouts of this thoughtful artist’s family to share our stories.

Grant’s View is now available on Amazon.com. Just click this link Amazon.com …or search “Paul Turelli books” on Amazon.com

🌷🌷🌷

As for Grantview Studio, I’m still connecting with my OddBall artist group in Illinois. Many of us participated in the Looking In Looking Out windows exhibit organized by Sara Peak Convery (Arts Alive Chicago). My contribution was a painting on an old window frame called Dance Studio.

I am gifting this one to my dear friend Peggy who suddenly became my impromptu model. It was such an intense collaboration, an important experience for both of us about the anguish of war.

You can learn more about it on my Grantview Studio blog: (that’s https://grantviewstudio.com/blog)

Most Saturday mornings I’m with my Milwaukee sketch group, drawing points of interest in and around our fine city. I’m always open to learning from other artists about new art supplies, techniques and soaking up their various views about…everything. There’s a good vibe that feeds my soul when I’m with my friends.

* Here we are hamming it up for the photographer at Mitchel Park Domes.

The most recent highlight for Roxy and Ringo was a whole week’s visit with granddaughter Bell, who hopes to someday “live out in the country and take in ALL the rescue dogs that nobody wants.” Bell is the youngest of eleven grandchildren in our blended family.

Our great-grandchild David was born last August! Here he is galloping on his rocking horse!

David wearing cowboy hat riding rocking horse

We thank you for your interest in our Grantview Studio endeavors & projects, along with a few family updates. 
And we always love hearing back from you!

Wishing you peace and happiness
  🙏 
Bob & Barbara Grant

🌷🌷🌷

See contact page to stay in touch ~ ~ ~

p.s. I continue to create new work and manage my websites, where I post other things beside our newsletters.

(Most of what I share are stories about the creative process.)

A Momentous Week in March

04.22.2024 by Barbara Grant //

On Passion Sunday this year we traveled for the first time to Belgium to visit the grave of my husband’s birth-father, Sergeant Robert G. Grant. He was killed during the Battle of the Bulge on December 17, 1944. We viewed the battle grounds and climbed around blown up bunkers. As we followed our guide, it did not seem like WWII happened more than 80 years ago. History came alive as we experienced being where lines of enemy tanks barreled through the forests, their explosions snapping and splintering tree tops creating additional shrapnel-like projectiles, and scarring the land.

A drawing of Sgt. Robert Grant by his friend Martin Balow

Damaged forrest & bunkers near the Battle of the Bulge

Brussels Bunch (family group) in front of bunker

Our initial accommodations were in the historic city of Aachen, Germany at the Parkhotel Aachen Quellenhof, which was largely destroyed during WWII but has since been magnificently restored. Our family (a group of eight able to make this trip) took a short morning drive to experience a private tour, specifically curated to educate us on what Bob’s father experienced as he fought for our freedom. I would like to publicly thank our guide Joël Lamberty (guideardenne44.com). His devotion to helping families like ours visit the graves of their loved ones, his passionate interest, detailed research, professional approach, respect and care were such a blessing. He led us through the forest walking where Robert Grant’s regiment, the 78th Infantry Division, was fighting the day he was killed.

I love walking Roxy & Ringo through the woods around our neighborhood, but there – even with the soft breeze in the trees and chirping birds in the gray sky – I believe all of us were individually imagining in our own thoughts what it was like during the attacks. Especially Bob, who was only 9 months old when he lost his father during this battle.

Bob's parents Marie (O'Neil) & Robert G. Grant

Letter from Sgt. Grant to Marie inquiring about Bobby the day before he was killed

Looking forward to this journey we didn’t really know what to anticipate in the coming days of exploration. I think it was a powerful experience to view the maps and actual battlegrounds before visiting the Henri-Chapelle Cemetery. The cemetery is kept immaculately clean; an enormous field of green with white marble crosses in orderly rows. Joël was our escort toward where Bob’s father was laid to rest. As we approached the cross he gave way for us to gather around together. Then my husband moved closer and reached out his hand to touch the smooth marble.

Bob touching his birth-father's cross for the first time

These were sacred, precious moments none of us present will ever forget. Photos were taken to share with those who could not be with us.

The "Brussels Bunch" photo by Joel Lamberty

Following this we lunched with our guide at one of his favorite spots. Then we enjoyed his friends’ invitation for a private tour of their “Remember Museum 39-45”. This is a museum that Marcel and Mathilde Schmetz have built and curated for over 60 years. It contains more than 100 mannequins, several dioramas within an area 700 square meters, a Sherman tank, and many personal souvenirs.

One of many rooms in the Remember Museum

Sgt. Robert Grant bookmark remembrance created by Bob

Mathilde thankfully accepted our memory cards with pictures to add to their display cases. The video tour on their website is worth watching if you’re a history buff: Remember Museum Mathilde speaks English, but her husband speaks French. Though I couldn’t understand his every word, it was to nice see him tell about the museum. During our visit he was in ill health and not present. The video is about 20 minutes long, and I urge anyone to view it to the end to realize how much our country’s help is appreciated in this part of the world.

They don’t forget – and they don’t want us to forget – how grateful they are for the Americans who sacrificed for their freedom. While the the rest of our group was waiting outside to drive to our next appointment, I had a private moment with Mathilda in her kitchen. She emphasized these sentiments to me again and gave me her contact information and a big hug as I was being called to join the others.

At the cemetery’s info office we learned of this cemetery’s program for “adopting” graves. Bob’s father’s grave was adopted by Inie Blokland, a woman living nearby in the Netherlands. She and Bob have since communicated via text, email and photos. She is thrilled to finally learn about Sgt. Grant’s surviving family and recently placed a bouquet of roses at the headstone.

Ms. Blokland who adopted Sgt. Robert Grant's grave placing roses in April

Emotions buried long ago began to surface more and more during our travel, so it was good to experience it with the comfort of family. We were able to relax from some of the intensity of our feelings during the rest of the week. We had private tours in Ghent including a canal tour, in Brugges (beer and chocolate tasting), and a “beer tasting” tour in Brussels.

Everywhere we experienced delicious food at delightful restaurants.

And soon it was Easter, a day to rest and wander freely before our return home. Bob had a strong desire to begin this day by attending a Catholic Mass, the religion of his parents. It was celebrated in French. He understood more than I could, but the priest’s soft melodic message communicated love and peace to me. The rest of the day he and I roamed the streets, anonymously absorbing the vibe of this foreign country and letting our psyches begin to process the enormity of what our hearts and minds had experienced during this trip.

Remember the final scene in The Graduate? Dustin Hoffman and Katherine Ross are sitting in the back of a bus having just escaped the wedding where she’s about to say “I do” to a man her parents preferred. They have big smiles on their faces like they just accomplished something amazing!

Bob & Barb sitting side by side riding on train

This photo of us makes me think of that. But ours is more than just the feeling of accomplishment. It is also of deep gratitude, because our kids interrupted their normal lives and requirements to make this happen. It was for Bob’s 80th birthday celebration.

As for the impact on the rest of our family, I will quote Bob’s older son:

It took all of our lifetimes but we finally managed to visit the man responsible for it all. We visited my Grandfather’s grave site in Belgium. He died a hero defending our country in WW II at the famous Battle of the Bulge. To see my Father, see his Father’s tombstone for the first time in his 80 years, was deeply moving. We brought three generations to show him how much his life meant. To the original Grantpop and all of those who serve, our deepest thank you for your service and the ultimate sacrifice. Your name and memory live on. Forever Young.

Links:

Joel Lamberty’s website link: https://guideardenne44.com
Remember Museum website link: http://www.remembermuseum.be
Finally for your listening pleasure, the lovely cantor at the Mass we attended in Brussels, mezzo-soprano Aveline Monnoyer seen here on YouTube performing Sposa son Disprezzata: https://youtu.be/CwGaWseIPtI?si=5n23JSzpK6IJNhPb

Aveline Monnoyer, mezzo soprano living in Brussels

Newsletter: If Winter comes…

12.19.2022 by Barbara Grant //

Season’s Greetings from Grantview Studio!

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.

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!

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 — You lookin’ at me?

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…