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
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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!
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
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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.)
