THE PAINTING*
I thought my
dad could do anything. He was a Chemical
Engineer. Only smart people are Chemical
Engineers. He was a math whiz. During the Second World War, he stayed in the
US working on some complicated war related project that only really smart
people worked on.
He had smart
hobbies. He grew vegetables
hydroponically in a greenhouse when that process was mostly just in books. He designed and built small racing sailboats
that out performed others in the class and were unsinkable to boot. He built radios. He built electric light dimmers before they
were commercially available at the hardware store.
Dad knew how
to skin-dive and he could hold his breath for over two minutes even though he
was a smoker. He sailed, knew
navigation, he had his pilot’s license and flew his own single engine
plane. Pop was a good bowler and
golfer. He played piano by ear, and
could strum whatever chords on the banjo that were required for a sing-along. I’m pretty sure my father could do anything
he put his mind to doing.
In the '50's, pop almost died from an infection of the heart. During rehabilitation he took up
painting. I can remember some
portrait sketches, but don’t remember if he ever finished them. I think he only finished and framed (he made
the frame himself of course) one painting.
It was of a hunter and his dog.
Funny thing was pop never hunted and we did not have a hunting dog. He hated hunting. He went squirrel hunting once with a friend
and he could not bring himself to pull the trigger on the poor little
creatures.
Anyway he
did complete that one painting, and then he went on to another endeavor. I think he may have tried the hobby for
three months. The painting was not
great, it was never worthy of living room display, but somehow I found it, I liked it, and
I saved it. It hangs in my garage where I
see it most every day. It represents one
of my father’s least successful endeavors.
Still, I
think it is pretty good. Maybe I’ll
bring it into the living room for Father’s Day.
 |
| I think he had potential
*Thanks to "Ginny in Boston" for the inspiration
|
How awesome that you saved this. And personally I like it a lot. That's pretty damn good for someone who only completed one painting!!
ReplyDeleteWell that's a good thing.
ReplyDeleteAt least you weren't one of his least successful endeavors.
What a very nice post about your dad. He sounds like a great man who did some even greater things. I love the painting and you should bring it into the living room!
ReplyDeleteI think it's great. What a wonderful post this is in honor of your amazing father.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day. ☺
oh, i totally think it was a worthwhile pursuit for him! wish he had done more!
ReplyDeleteYeah. Hang that painting.
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed when ANYBODY paints. I'm pretty good with pencil sketches. Like, you would want to pick me for your Pictionary team. But when it comes to color, I just don't get it.
I'm sure I would like him. Especially the creature part. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice post about your Dad!
ReplyDeleteMade with his hands and a one of a kind outstanding piece of workmanship. Yep, he had plenty of potential. What a treasure for you.
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonderful painting. Your dad certainly did have potential.
ReplyDeleteSounds like he was an extraordinary man. And actually even his art wasn't too bad. Maybe you should try your hand? You might surprise yourselves.
ReplyDeleteS
It would have been interesting if your dad had pushed his painting a bit more. One painting is harder to appreciate than a series, but it does look like he had certain skills.
ReplyDeleteI've noticed that the smartest people among us do not enjoy killing living creatures, so I'm not surprised at what you said about your dad. His picture is fairly good and I would bring it into the house as a respectful gesture in his memory.
ReplyDelete