Olive’s Table
by rebeccaMpells
available from
https://www.artfinder.com/product/olives-table/
A couple of weeks ago I was contemplating the subject of my next painting and looking for inspiration. Around the same time I took delivery of a small mahogany sewing table which originally belonged to my great Aunt Olive. When she passed away some thirty years ago it came into my father’s possession and has lived the last three decades in his spare room, somewhat forgotten.
A journey of two hundred miles in the boot of the car has brought it to rest in my home. An ideal size and height and with a suitable covering for protection, it is has found it’s place in my studio as a table for my brushes and water pot. Practicalities aside, I’m surprised at how fond I have become of this little table, this physical link which ties one female generation of my family to another. Slightly battered in places it is of no great monetary value, neither would it take pride of place in a smart antique shop.
However, it does exude charm and on investigation of the deep drawer suspended below the table top, I found my aunt’s personal sewing items – half used reels of thread, a wooden darning ‘mushroom’ and most touching of all – a felt needle case embroidered with her initials. Immediately I was reminded of my mother’s needle case with it’s navy blue initialled cover and I clearly remember how she taught me to make my own. I now have all three, a very real thread to the women of my family, items which would have been in daily use by them and as a young girl my own was too.
Then it became unfashionable to make do and mend and financially possible to buy new socks, or a skirt from a boutique rather than homemade. And thus a small sewing table became just a piece of furniture, no longer used as the cabinet maker conceived. But this little table has come into my life just at the right time and has found a life anew and is in daily use once more. I also found my inspiration, as I felt this small piece of my heritage deserved a painting of it’s own and so I set it up with a vase of white roses in memory of my recently deceased father along with a book of Longfellow’s poems, a favourite of my mother’s and the result is ‘Olive’s Table’.
A nice painting and I love the background that you incorporated.
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That’s good to here Gerard – I always find the background the most difficult to get right.
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What a beautiful painting! And I love the story behind it. Wonderful post!
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Thank you for your comment. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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What a sweet memento from your past, Rebecca. I have my mom’s felt needle holder, which I still use. (It’s right next me on the table as I type!) These small things connect us to those that have passed, making our memories all the more tangible.
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You’re so right Eliza – it is these little things which seem to make memories tangible and usually things of little monetary value if any.
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Lovely painting!
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Thank you!
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Welcome!
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What a lovely tribute to your father. So sorry for your loss.
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Thank you Carol. He was 92 and active and healthy right to the end. But still going to take a little while to get used to.
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This is such a sweet story, thank you for sharing it. I think your Aunt Olive would have been very proud of you….
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Thanks Jet. It would be nice to think so.
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Beautiful painting, and such a wonderful story to go with it. 🙂
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Thank you Robin. It’s great to get your feedback. Glad you liked it. 🙂
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I really like the story behind this painting. And the painting itself is beautiful with grace and fragility, such as in real life. It is great to note that you have developed your own style in such a short time you’ve been painting.
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Thank you for your lovely comment Tiny. ‘With grace and fragility’ that will do me!
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Lovely painting and sentiments. Olive is the name of my late mother who passed away one year tomorrow.
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Thank you. Olive is a lovely name and not one you often hear now. I’m glad my post was timely for your own remembrance.
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