The Heart of the Art

This is an apology.

Back in the summer, I posted about re-discovering how much I love drawing and painting and shared about the people who taught me the basics and who continue to inspire me, but I forgot someone very important - my mother.

I hadn't really thought about it until a couple of weeks ago when Jack and I were at the farm for a visit. During the course of a conversation with an architect friend, I'd mentioned how little my parents' house has changed over the years. The carpet, the color of the walls, the sprayed-on ceiling texture, the wood paneling, and the bathrooms are all pretty much the same as when our family moved-in back in 1978. Appliances, TVs, a set or two of den furniture, and the kitschy late 70's print kitchen walls have fallen by the wayside since then, but for the most part, the house is like a time capsule, and the older I get, the more I appreciate the TLC required to maintain burnt-orange shag carpet in the main living area.

In that context, I looked at what I still refer to as "home" with fresh eyes, and I saw something I'd never really seen before - my mother as an artist. 

Every room, including the bathrooms, has handmade art on the walls, and much of it is hers. She painted the pair of river boat scenes which hang over the sofa and the violin still-life on the wall by the piano and the Italian street scene beside Dad's chair. Little pastel drawings Sis and I did "back in the day" are sprinkled here and there as are a handful of paintings by Bettie Jo Smotherman, but Mom is truly the heart of the art in that house.

Even here, Mom's work is prominently displayed. Her watercolor of an owl has hung near the front door since I moved here in 1992, and this still-life in acrylics has been on the wall over the hearth for just as long. 

So, if I'm doling out credit for my love of art (and art supplies), I must give my mom her due, and when people ask where I got what talent I have, she really is at the top of the list. 

Falling Leaves and Wedding Bells

Happy Fall, y'all!!

Can you believe October is almost here? My friends who love "pumpkin spice" everything are excited, and as luck would have it, I ran across the dogs' Halloween bandanas by accident the other day, so I'm not going to have to spend a half a day digging though closets and drawers looking for them. Hooray!!

The last month has flown - the whole summer really - seems like we just killed the big copperhead at the front steps last week, but no, it's been several weeks. We ARE still taking big precautions, though - we don't take a step outside without a bright light and a keen eye for where our hands and feet are going.

Sink Creek Photography was in action over Labor Day weekend to photograph the wedding of our dear friend, Brad, to his long-time love, Rodel. We don't shoot many weddings, because they're so stressful and offer no room for error, but this one was special, and we were thrilled to do it.

Jack took this beautiful shot, which seems to be everyone's favorite from the day.

Brad and Rodel first met back in 1997 - only a couple of weeks after Jack and I met - and maintained a long-distance relationship all these years, because without the option of marriage, being together wasn't a realistic possibility. They were engaged last August - just weeks after the U. S. Supreme Court's Obgerfell decision, which extended the right to marry to gay and lesbian couples.

Some of the photos were difficult to shoot, because the moments were so tender, I had to wipe tears from my eyes. Aside from that I was hot and sweating like a pig, so I had to keep wiping sweat and condensation from my viewfinder throughout the ceremony.

The reception was a beautiful affair at Short Mountain Distillery, which is truly a hidden gem in this area - great food, great service, impeccable everything.

Everyone had a wonderful time throughout the evening, and like all great celebrations, there was a gorgeous and delicious cake from The Sweet Shop.

Rodel's relatives from Texas and Virginia were delightful. Here they pose with Brad's dad's classic Mercury. I think it's a 1953 model.

Rodel had relatives attend from both Virginia and Texas, and I loved meeting and spending some time with them. They were so excited about the big day, and every time I swung a camera their direction, they smiled beautifully and were naturals for the lens. If all families were so good-natured about getting their photos taken, I might be inclined to do more wedding work.