Straddle the Turtle

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

  • Home
  • About
  • Exhibitions
  • Grant’s Tome
  • My Shop
  • Contact

Hi Neighbors!!

05.07.2020 by Barbara Grant //

Ringo & Roxy finding a treasure

Roxy & Ringo need daily walks so I’m out exploring my neighborhood on a regular basis. It’s because of this that I met Dr. M and her huge friendly, fluffy Mutt. He had gotten loose from her one day and came barreling our way down the road. I corralled him with my own doggies until she caught up, and we’ve been friends ever since.

Our meet-ups have been spotty over the past few years, because she works odd shifts at the hospital. But I’ve mourned with her as she has suffered more than her share of tragedy in that short time: a break-up with her boyfriend, the death of her mother, soon after her dad passed away, too. And if that is not enough, her beloved fluffy ten year-old Mutt needed to be put down because of a serious illness.

But she is a resiliant woman, and recently acquired not one, but TWO beautiful new pups! I was able to keep up with their growth and antics as she posted photos and stories on her Instagram. Sadly, her latest posts have been of the protective gear she’s wearing in the Emergency Room! And I worry…

But one day we walked by her property and saw that she had lashed a sign to her maple tree. She’s been posting daily quotes & jokes!

My neighbor's sign

Yesterday’s entry says:

“Hi Neighbors!! 

Quote of the Day: Let your smile change the world but don’t let the world change your smile.

Juneau Joke of the Day: What kind of tree has a hand? A palm tree!”

I especially love how she’s sketched a mountain range and some trees into this composition. I think of her audacity and her courage. I’m so proud of Dr. M.

My neighbor's sign up close

Makes me smile… and I’m not gonna let the world change my smile 😉

Categories // Limelights on my friends Tags // corny jokes, courage and resilience, dog walkers, first responders, neighborhoods, uplifting quotes

The Color Red

03.09.2020 by Barbara Grant //

Red was Dorothy’s favorite color. I thought of this as I read her obituary last week. She passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 102. Loving wife, devoted mother, proud grandmother. Loved by nieces, nephews other relatives and friends. Raised a lovely family, graduated from college, began her career as a chemist, later a director and trainer of workshops, and then… “Late in life Dorothy discovered her love of art and became an accomplished painter of watercolors.”

"Quiet Scene" by Dorothy in 2015
“Quiet Scene” by Dorothy in 2015

We met at the end of her life’s road when she had nothing left but a little time. I would set a table of paper and paints and scooch her chair closer so she could reach to swish her brush in a tub of water, dip it into the pans of color and swipe it over absorbent, archival watercolor paper. We worked together at this table most Friday afternoons for nearly five years. The sense of design and choice of color that was evident in her compositions mimicked the way she put herself together – hairdo, clothing, earrings – stylish and smart.

This happened at a senior living community not far from my home. I volunteer in a program they call Artful Expressions. My job is to help the residents use the art supplies at their disposal. Some have physical or mental limitations, and I figure out ways to allow them to create anyway. It’s the highlight of my week. I learn from each individual that I spend time with; we all benefit as we share ideas around the table.

One of Dorothy's more minimalist compositions 2018
One of Dorothy’s more minimalist compositions 2018

In Dorothy’s case her hearing ability was quite impaired. She couldn’t participate easily with the other painters or hear my guiding voice. So I began writing to her on a pad of paper to help her avoid frustration and isolation. She would read my notes, nod, and be energized now that she understood! She was always grateful. This interaction allowed a sort of intimacy between us. It enabled me to imagine the loneliness of her silent world.

Gradually over time it seemed that the way Dorothy chose to dress mattered less to her. For example, she might not bother wearing earrings. And she was tired. She might nod off, but then wake up to paint a flurry of brush strokes. The last time we were together, she fell asleep in her chair during most of the session. Her painting style had become more minimalist, but her color of choice was always red.

Dorothy's favorite color red 2019
Dorothy’s favorite color red 2019

Categories // Creative Process, Limelights on my friends Tags // color red, express in paint, hearing loss, late in life

Art of Poetry

10.29.2019 by Barbara Grant //

This weekend I’m taking part in the Art of Poetry Soiree, a celebration and fundraiser for Milwaukee SCORES.* This is the fifth year I’ve accepted this invitation to choose a poem written by one of the soccer-player poets in this wonderful program. Area artists are asked to chose from a list of poems the children have created in hopes that it will inspire a work of art to donate to the auction.

I chose a poem by 8-year old Lily which touched me immediately. I’d recently finished reading two books about trees: a novel by Richard Powers called The Overstory and a non-fiction by arborist William Bryant Logan called Sprout Lands: Tending the Endless Gift of Trees. Both are excellent! Presently, many trees in our neighborhood are needing to be cut down because they are diseased, which breaks my heart. I love trees… and I love what the America Scores program does to help kids get on the right path.

The title of Lily’s poem is “Trees”:

Trees are tall
Trees are short
Some are maple
Some are oak
Leaves are yellow
Leaves are green
These are the beautiful trees I have seen

Book of Trees
Book of Trees

*America SCORES is a transformational after-school program which educates and prepares 1st-5th grade students to lead healthy and confident lives. For more information: America Scores in Milwaukee

Categories // Art for worthy causes, Limelights on my friends Tags // books, children, poetry, soccer, trees

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • Next Page »

Grantview Studio

Grantview Studio website

My Turtle Story

"Straddle the Turtle" folder for collecting my ideas

Archives

Categories

  • Art for worthy causes
  • Creative Process
  • Just felt like sharing :)
  • Limelights on my friends
  • Reading

Join My Newsletter

Copyright © 2021 Straddle the Turtle & Grantview Studio