Grandpa's Art Supplies

My cousin Karen and I went out to dinner last night to visit, and to share Grandpa's art supplies. Grandpa started painting after he retired; primarily landscapes from calendars and magazines; and did so for about 30 years. I believe all his progeny has a painting to keep. The fruits of his labor are the real treat; but Karen and I have inherited Grandpa's tackle-box full of oils, brushes, erasers, drafting equipment, a nut cracker (to loosen the caps from tubes of paint) and other miscellany. Seems all of Grandpa's passions were something that could be shared: fishing meant time together, as did religion, and he freely gave away his paintings. They've always been a delight but now they're true tokens of remembrance. Orrin Tether Colby, 1914—2008.

Andrew Wyeth, 1917-2009

A memorable excursion from our honeymoon was stopping in Rockland, Maine to visit the Farnsworth Art Museum and Wyeth Center. Andrew Wyeth is more iconic of American art (for me) than Rockwell or Hopper. In fact, at age 15 I attempted to copy a Wyeth watercolor (above) to get a sense of his method. In college I also tried egg tempura to amateur effect (detail above right.) Wyeth's paintings help me adjust to aging, the stillness of life, authenticity and letting go. His work demonstrates an extraordinary capacity for visual mediums to reveal life's deepest, most personal contemplations.

West Coast Dist-O-Map

Here is Grandma Bettie's Dist-O-Map. I can't believe she said we could have it. When we were moving her last year she unloaded tons of stuff but the Dist-O-Map might be my favorite acquisition. Just the look of it makes me want to get in the car and drive. Why ... it's only 544 miles to Carson City!

Chicago World's Fair 1933-34

My paper spec rep took me to lunch this week. On a recent trip to New York she found a vintage souvenir notebook from the 1933 Chicago World's Fair. Camille bought it for me, and then paired it with these postcards from the same event. The postcards come from her neighbor, now deceased, whom I share my name with. Jesse passed away having lived 100 years, and Camille said he'd be happy to know these tokens continue to be shared with someone who would enjoy them. Camille, always thoughtful and inspiring, has made my week. These new additions really boost the profile of my discovered vintage ephemera. Perhaps in a future entry I'll include treasures from the garage, and maybe even Grandma Bettie's driving wheel.