Artwork over the years

It was inevitable.  Eldest Child has moved to a nice city apartment and all the furniture he let me "borrow" was moved with him.  This prompted a rearranging of the middle room upstairs.  This in turn brought new thoughts of redecorating with what I have on hand.  Down to the basement to look through my collection of drawings, paintings, and pictures.

  They all tell a story each in their own way of where we were at the time we acquired them.  It was a fun trip down memory lane........although now I can't decide which ones to put up..... 

1.

Baby Jesus.  In my prayers, I am much more attracted to the grown Jesus.  But this Flemish painting of Baby Jesus always gets put up at Christmas to remind us how sweet He must have been.  I love the realistic nature of the painting.  He looks like some of my own newborn babies.  And Mary's hands are so lovely holding Him.  This picture helps me understand more deeply his humility and helplessness as a baby.  He really has chosen to depend on us to bring Him to others.  

2.

Arthur Rackham.  Sigh.  Every single one of his drawings is beautiful.  This is the fairy princess from Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens.  My dad made a frame for it long ago and it is one of my favorite things.  

3.

A Leonardo Angel.  So wonderful to just look at.  

4.

This flower garden was my first ever purchase of a painting at a thrift store long ago when I was in high school.  It hung in my apple green bedroom for years.  And it is still here with me after many moves. I can't give it away.

5

The old garage.  Tony's brother likes to paint old city sketches.  We had an old brick garage from the 1930's in our back yard and it fascinated him.  So he painted it for us.  I love it.  It reminds me of that big, overgrown yard where my kids swam in the old silver pool, ate popsicles on the porch, and played for hours digging a tunnel after being inspired by the movie "The Great Escape".  

Other favorites

6
A wedding present of our favorite places in our hometown all in one block.  It was really clever and fun.  Tony's sister gave it to us. Yes, he has the art 
gene quite well represented in his family.

7.
My happy place.  I love old monasteries, either the Irish ruins or the beauties found in Italy.  This print brings me to that happy place as I pass it each day.