Honestly, one of the things I've been thinking about is doing some painting. This is a little bit of a cheat as I did this painting about a year ago. I've been so crazy busy at the office that I haven't had a chance to get out to find the materials: a canvas, paints a few brushes. But it is something that has moved up my 'to do' list. I will give it a go soon, but for now I decided I would tell you why I've been interesting in painting. 
Almost a year to the day, I was in New Zealand visiting my sister. And I asked her one morning what was up with the blank canvas she had propped up in her guest room. She said she had been thinking about doing a painting but had just never gotten around to it. I knew immediately it was going to be our project. I told her we were going to paint it so she had something to remember our time together. That confidence has nothing to do with whether or not I can paint, it's just that we always like to find a little something either to do, or buy together that will remind us of each other since our visits are so infrequent. So now the questions was what; what to paint? My sister suggested tulips since they are her husband's favorite flower. So we were off to the store to pick up paints and brushes. Over the the next 3 or 4 days we spent our afternoons out on the deck sipping local NZ wine and painting. A time I will indeed remember. We started with layers of blue for the background and then gave it a rest for the afternoon to dry. The following day we added sweeping grass and then the next day we added tulips. We signed it "Machata-Sargent" for a little fun. Our two married names, and a play on Singer Sargent for those who know the amazing classic American artist, and one of my all-time favorites. This painting now hangs in my sister's foyer. I told her that she didn't have to show it prominently, but apparently her husband insisted.
Lovely painting, and very sweet story :)
ReplyDeleteI did not create anything this week too...so wondering what I should put up in my blog post
Lovely tulips. So what that you didn't do it this week. The intention is there, and this might just give you the push to get back to it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story! Tulips were my father's favorite flower, too. your painting is beautiful, and the best part is the memories you created WHILE creating!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to create memories! Can't wait to see where you go with your painting Cynthia. =)
ReplyDeleteTulips are my mom's favorite flower. It's so lovely that you have this memory of your time together. It's so neat that you painted it together. And it just happens to be a gorgeous painting! And jewelry IS art.
ReplyDeletelovely tulips!!! Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things hop xo
ReplyDeleteAhhh, you are making me wish I had a sister! Well, that may not be fair to my three sister-in-laws, but you know what I mean. What a wonderful memory of your time together. Now you two will have to colaborate on a piece for your home.
ReplyDeleteOh, Cynthia, we both cheated :) Like you, I promised myself to get back into it - and like you, putting it up there, publicly, will hold me accountable! It's on my list :)
ReplyDeleteLove your painting - especially the story behind it. To do something with a loved one is such a remarkable way to spend your time together! Thank you for sharing!
What a great story and what beautiful paintings. It is awesome that you could share thT experience with your sister.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story... unforgettable for you both. Nice painting too.
ReplyDeleteLove your tulips and the lovely story. I am impressed with the little detail shot at the beginning of the blog post. Pretty!
ReplyDeleteThe painting is beautiful and I love that you and your sister did it together. I hope you're able to do some painting real soon!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great painting! I love how you and your sister did this together, I'm sure that was the best part :)
ReplyDeletexo
Ashley
Southern (California) Belle
what a lovely painting and a lovely story! you'll have to make painting a project every time you visit each other :)
ReplyDeletehave a great week :)
[no 19 - i overslept!]
What a fun way to spend with your sister. I know my sister would love sharing this task, we'll probably try to do this next time we get together!
ReplyDeleteI love your painting, it reminds me that Spring is right around the corner!
You and your sister did a great job with the tulips. What a great way to spend time with your sister.
ReplyDeleteHi Cynthia,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing such a lovely story of Sisterly love. The painting is beautiful. It is ok that you cheated as long as your intentions to actually do something is there.
Therese
Well I love tulips and this painting is beautiful, more so since I now know the story behind it! Sweet!
ReplyDeleteYour art is beautiful and tulips are my favorite flowers, ever. Your story is very touching - thank you for sharing. (and yes, I would hang this prominently as well)
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful painting with a wonderful story behind it! I bet you think of that special time spent together with your sister every time you see tulips!
ReplyDeleteWhen your blog was first loading I saw the picture of the tulips and thought "oh how pretty", but the story and the meaning behind the piture...priceless! Love it. Sisters are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteSonya
Love the colors in the painting!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to remember the trip.
(I'm #41 this week)
Beautiful painting and collaboration!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful painting and story.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing painting and such a fun and cherished memory to have about making it - it's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteTulips are my very favorite flower. How fun to embarq on this journey with your sister!! I hope you get to do it more often.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to paint but it just turns out to be a muddled pool of paint.
My favorite flower.
ReplyDeleteI love the colors you both used and the story is as beautiful as the painting.
The vibrant colors are stunning! What a lovely way to bond and stay connected. I can see why her husband insisted it be hung. It is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLove your story of you and sister creating the painting for your memories! Love the colors and that you both signed it and she has it displayed!
ReplyDeleteI love the painting, and especially the story behind it! What a wonderful way to remember the time you spent with your sister.
ReplyDeleteHow fabulous that you and your sister painted this together!!! It has such pretty styling. Cute signature! Sargent has aways been a favorite of mine to view at the Boston MFA. I have never tried my hand at painting. It seems like it would be really soothing for the soul!!!
ReplyDeleteWow such big beautiful colours, and such a lovely story
ReplyDeleteLove the movement and coloration, and also the backstory. What a neat remembrance. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! You two will remember this for years to come! And how special that your sister gets to remember your visit every day.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see what you paint when you get the time :)
What a wonderful remembrance. A great job on your painting.
ReplyDeleteGrrr, blogger ate my comment! What I wanted to say was that creating something new, especially with your sister, is a great way to get over the nerves of starting something (I call it the blank canvas syndrome ;) ) and you end up with a piece of art that reminds you of each other.
ReplyDeleteThats fab! They are different and yet the same - just as sisters are...
ReplyDeleteYou are so talented - this is a gorgeous painting, beautiful sentiment as well to give to your BIL.
ReplyDeleteThe painting turned out beautiful and so is the story behind it!
ReplyDeleteWonderful memories :) My sister and I rented a camp this summer for a week and painted rocks, and did some leaf art. We were like kids again!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful memory! I love the blending of the colors so rich and deep, perhaps it's because of what i did this past week myself, but I could see this in glass! maybe you could have a print done to hang in your home on this side of the world as well!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this sweet story--what a beautiful reminder of your visit with your sister.
ReplyDeleteThis is very precious! Something you and your sister will always treasure ;o)
ReplyDeleteBoth, the process and the product are amazingly beautiful. What a lovely time you had with your sister and what a beautiful painting you created. Thank you for sharing. Dita.
ReplyDeleteLovely tulips used to design sweaters but they were all OOK so didn't have to do patterns! My shawl is a pattern as I want something mindless while I'm visiting family!
ReplyDeletei had a vision of two laughing sisters painting and experimenting with colors and strokes. based on this end result, it was a lovely experience! this really is a beautiful painting.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet idea! And how lucky you are to have a sister to visit in a place like that!!! Although I guess it has the con of not being able to go that often. Doing a piece in a medium you aren't familiar with can be challenging but also so much fun!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story and a great way to commemorate your visit!
ReplyDeleteI had to frown a little at your comment "It doesn't have to literally be art, it could be the art of jewelry design or component making", though. At the same time you're trying to widen your definition of art, you seem to be narrowing it. To me, Art is the act of creation, in all it's various forms. :)
What a lovely painting, and a wonderful way to spend time with your sister. Next time she comes to the states you will have to do another painting so you can have one in your house as well.
ReplyDeleteValerie
Everyday Inspired
Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely! Wonderful that you have such a close and warm relationship with your sister :)
ReplyDeleteDid not know they were painting, nice story!!!
ReplyDeleteI hope to see more works!!!
Have a good week, dear!
Besos, desde España, Marcela♥
Cynthia, I love that you got to spend your time creating art with your sister! How wonderful! Both paintings are beautiful works of art!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun collaboration!!! Sisters and art...sounds great to me :)
ReplyDelete