Bird In The Hand Primitives

Primitive Folk Art Designs and Finished Items
By: Robin Leuschen

" Who you are is God's gift to you........ What you do, is your gift to God !"

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Wanted to share this...


My mother was an artist..she loved Currier and Ives... .I used to sit and watch her sketch at her easel, then mix her paints to just the desired shades and work her magic with her brushes and oil paints.
    In school, Art Class  was my nemesis... I HATED art.... I hardly made an effort and when I did, it was really pathetic. But, sitting there watching my mother make a blank canvas become art, I was mesmerized.
 My Mother passed away when I was 15 years old, after 2 years of hospitalization, with a short stay at home, during which I was responsible to help my Father care for her, while she was on the waiting list for a county run Nursing home.
She was 36 years old and when she had her first major stroke that left her in a coma for weeks. When she did become concious, she was completely paralyzed on the right side, and could not speak at all...
She had to learn to use her left hand for communicating on a board with letter stickers on it, and point to each letter to spell out each individual word....Her mind was sharp as a tack, as many times, noone could keep up with her and we would have to ask her to please slow down, which would make her smile .
One of her biggest frustrations, was not being able to even write her own name legibly, let alone create any art ..... She began to have many strokes in succession and it was determined that she could no longer be rehabilitated, and so the search was on for a Nursing Home where she would be placed until she died....

My younger sister was only 7 when my Mom died, and I cared for her for the 2 years my Mom was hospitalized, until my Mother passed away...My Dad remarried shortly after that, and my Step mother was a sweet lady, allthough you can imagine the grief I gave her just because I was still greiving for my mother , and noone was going to take her place !!!
One day, while my sister was helping my Dad organize his basement( has was since divorced from my step mom), she came across this painting...My Father didn't even remember it being put down there.....
Of course they both knew I would want this for myself, as I was the one who was my Mom's shadow as she created her paintings... My Mom, at age 13 had contracted strep throat,...it wasn't treated properly and then led to Scarlet Fever that in turn had damaged the Mitral Valve in her heart. As an adult she had many closed and then open heart surgeries and was one of the first people to ever receive an artificial valve, which at the time was created by the DOW company...It had the non-stick surface invented by Dow, to prevent the valve from scar tissue building up on it......Teflon ....
A short film was made of my mother's last open heart surgery, in which the artifial valve was inserted.
.......
This painting was created while my Mom recuperated from her surgery...She had an old calendar with Currier and Ives paintings for each month, and this is the one she sketched out and painted....
I remember her not feeling well at the time, she was weak and tired, but happy to be sitting in her home, at her easel with her shadow ( me) at her side ....
I've had the painting put away. Why I've never framed  and hung it, I don't know for sure, but I think maybe by doing that, it would take away from it's " Specialness "...( is that a word ???...lol) It would begin to just be another piece of decor in my home, like all the other things on my walls , instead of the labor of love that it really was at the time.
 I would never , EVER have imagined myself doing anything REMOTELY related to any type of art in any medium..... funny....I never even began designing and creating dolls till I had Grandchildren..
Now my Grandsons sit and watch me do my humble drawings and  needle works , and it reminds me of when I sat and watched my Mom...
Bless You All,
Robin

28 comments:

Danice G said...

Your mother sounds like she was really talented and inspirational. The painting is beautiful. Blessings ♥

Primitive Stars said...

Hello....wow!!!! your Mother was so talented, love the painting. So special....Hugs Francine.

Rugs and Pugs said...

Your mom was so talented. How sad for you to have lost her at such a young age!
I think you should hang that picture. It would not take away the specialness and it would honor her memory.
Hugs to you!
Lauren

The Moonlit Stitch said...

Your story brought tears to my eyes. My mother had scarlett fever in the '30's and her heart has never been right. I'm sorry for your loss at such a young age but it is so obvious your mother lives through you in your creativity! Peace be with you. ~*~Lisa

Cathy G. said...

Robin,
What a wonderful tribute to your Mother you have shared! Having that painting is indeed more precious than just having a memory! Your story brings to mind how powerful being able to express ourselves through our art is and how healing it is! The gift you are giving your grandchildren is something that can never be taken away! Now I know where you come by your artistic talents!
Wonderful post!!
Hugs!!
Cathy G

Susannah said...

What a wonderful, heartfelt story of you and your Mom. I am so glad you have the painting. I would hang it in a place of honor. I can relate to much of your story. Keep your memories close and never forget who you are and where you came from. Blessings......

Susannah

Tina said...

What a sweet and very personal story. I thank you for sharing it.
T

annie said...

Robin, her painting is just beautiful! The story was very sad, but so much of her talent and creativity has come to you, just expressed in different ways. How good that you have the good memories as well as the difficult ones to balance everything out. It is a very special painting. i would hang it out during the holidays to enjoy and treasure, and put away when you felt the need. There is nothing in the world like a mother, and I'm sure your grands love watching you as you did with your own.

The Grinning Sheep said...

Robin, it was beautiful to hear this story about your mom. I am sorry you lost her at such an early age, but your love is so evident in your words. Kathy

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful story of your mom..The painting is beautiful..

Diane said...

your Mother was an artist-and so are you.

moosecraft said...

Wow! Thanks for sharing this part of your life with us! I would hang the panting as-is... no frame... or even lean it on a shelf against the wall. Keep it in view though! :-) Hugs to you!

Jan - Life on Buttermilk Hill said...

Robin, it is so sad to hear how your mother struggled with her health, but inspiring how she still strove to express herself through painting! I'm so sorry you lost her at such a young age. That beautiful painting is such a treasure for you!--Jan

Jan - Life on Buttermilk Hill said...

Robin, it is so sad to hear how your mother struggled with her health, but inspiring how she still strove to express herself through painting! I'm so sorry you lost her at such a young age. That beautiful painting is such a treasure for you!--Jan

WoolenSails said...

It is so wonderful to find one of her paintings and have it in your home. She really had a beautiful gift and love her folk art style. I have a bad mitral valve and didn't know until I was 30, luckily nothing happened to make it worse. You mom lived a short live, but it was filled with love for her family and life and I can see she carried those gifts to you.

Debbie

Linda said...

Robin, I am so touched by this post I do not even have words to write. Love and hugs sent to you today from me.
Linda

ohiofarmgirl said...

Wow, what a story. Your Mother would be proud to know you use the talent she passed on to you. The painting is such a blessing. Dianntha

Pam in IL said...

Thank you so much for sharing the story of your mom and her painting!
{{{HUGS}}}

Jean Barker said...

Beautiful post Robin. Your moms legacy and the painting she left behind are so special. Thank you for sharing with all of us.
Blessings,
Jean

Ronda said...

So touching Robin,,your mother was very talented, such a beautiful painting and the memories it holds.

Thank you for sharing..

blessings,
Ronda

Beckyjean said...

Beautiful post Robin. Thank you for sharing. I think you should frame & hang your Mom's picture.

Have a wonderful week~Becky

Raymond Homestead said...

Your mom was really talented. So glad you have this painting to keep. She would be so proud of you and your artistic talent! I just have to smile when you talk about hating art and that your attempts were pathetic because you are so darn creative now!

suz said...

It sounds like your Mom has been standing at your shoulder encouraging you. She was obviously a very talented lady and her gift was passed to you. Your story about her, while very sad, was also very loving. I hope you you'll rethink framing your Mom's painting - it will allow you the opportunity to share a bit of her with your grandchildren and each time you see it, it will bring you a special memory of her.

Cammie said...

What a sweet and inspirational story, thanks for sharing!!! We see where your talent comes from!
~Cammie~

Roberta said...

I'm so glad your mom's painting was found and now is your treasure. It reminds me of a Grandma Moses painting--it really tugs at your heart. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story; not surprising you went into the medical field and discovered your latent talent for art! ~Roberta

Jacqueline said...

Sad but beautiful memories. I don't think one ever truly gets over the loss of their Mom.

Mine has been gone now for 10 years and I still catch myself going to the phone to call her..

Pamela@ The Sampler Makers Farmhouse said...

Bless your heart, thanks for sharing~ what a special, special painting.

Primitives By The Light of The Moon said...

Such a beautiful painting and I too think you should display it. Your mom was one special lady as well as you are. You took on a great responsibility at such a young age. You have followed in your mom's footsteps with your talent. I believe she would be very happy that you have :)