Sunday, January 28, 2007

Flat Iron


Flat Iron
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
Rebecca's B&B is filled with all sorts of wonderful knicks knacks. Just before I left for home, I had a few minutes to sketch and was wandering around her rooms looking for an inspired 'sketch object.'

She bend down to the fireplace, and handed me this heavy flat iron.
"Sketch this," she told me, "It's the iron I really used when I was a teen." She went on to explain how she'd heat the iron by the fire (where it resides now), swipe the bottom with a cloth to remove the dust, and then proceed to iron her husband's starched white shirts.

Rebecca has always wanted to keep a journal and started one a while back for her husband before his alzheimers worsened to the point of having to place him in a nursing home. She's watched me for over a year sit at her kitchen table and sketch her beloved odds and ends, and always remarks that she's like to learn how to draw and keep a journal for herself, but she simply doesn't have enough time.

She doesn't have a computer or Internet connections, and yet she knows I blog and have written about her. I think it tickles her to think someone out 'there' is also enjoying some of the flowers she grows or her momentos.

I'm thinking, even though some of my sketches are rather poor, that she might like a collection of these for her children and grands, journal-fashion, as momentos of the flowers and things she loves, and a representation of kind and generous woman she is.

I'll give this some thought.

10 comments:

Teri said...

Lin, how very thoughtful of you to let Rebecca enjoy art and journaling through you. Please give it some serious thought, maybe copies of her 'art'. She will have an irreplaceable treasure.

Brenda Yarborough said...

Oh yes, that's a great idea Teri! I have one of these flat irons that belonged to my dh's great-grandmother.
A very nice sketch - I wish I had your ability to find inspiration in so many different places!!

Anonymous said...

Lovely sketch. I like old things, they all tell a story...
Make her a little album with the drawings (or prints). She shure would love it.

Anonymous said...

I second (fourth?) that idea. Bet she'd love some color copies of your journal pages.

Terri said...

That is a wonderful idea Lin!! Rebecca sounds like the sort of person who would treasure that gift. What a lovely thing to do for someone. YOU are a treasure. :o)

Felicity Grace said...

Yes, the copies in journal form would be great, and she sounds like she'd love it! Lovely painting Lin, the shading is super. I love the tulip study too and I appreciate you explaining how long it took. When I paint, I expect it to take just a few minutes, I have unrealistic expectations of it.

Lindsay said...

LIN I LOVE THIS!! You know I teach fashion design and I'd like to own one of these puppies. Your beautiful sketch calms my yearnings.
Great story too!

Anonymous said...

What a perfect idea! And so very you.

Robyn said...

Aren't you glad that we don't have to use this type of flat iron any more! It is so hot here in Sydney today that the very thought of it makes me sweat.

Jana Bouc said...

Wonderful writing as well as drawing and painting. I think my grandmother used something like that...but no, it must have been electric...she didn't have a real fireplace. You are so thoughtful! I bet she would love copies of your artwork.