Thursday, January 04, 2007



Grandpa

I recently went to see my family in northern California. One morning, my parents had to go out for some appointments and I jumped at the opportunity to sketch. I wandered around the house and came across a photo of my grandfather. When my parents returned, I showed them my sketch and asked if they knew who it was. Immediately my mom said, "It's daddy." Later in the day, both of my sisters came to visit and when I showed them, they immediately said, "It's grandpa." So, though I know where I goofed, it apparently DOES look like he did. He passed away 42 years ago this past Christmas and the photo was quite faded. It was probably taken of him when he was in his 40s which makes the photo about 65 years old. He was a farmer in Oklahoma. I was only 10 years old when he died, but I remember him very well. He was a very loving and sensitive man. I remember how he tilled the soil with a one-horse plow and oh how I loved to walk along behind him! In the evenings he would sit on the front porch and play his harmonica. To this day, when I hear a harmonica, I think of my grandpa. What a lovely memory to start my 2007 art with.

5 comments:

Lin said...

BRENDA! What a fantastic sketch! And to have all that reinforcement of recognition!! I'd say it's time you stood up and took a big bow!!! BRAVA!! BRAVA!!

Teri said...

What a sweet loving story and wonderful sketch. It even looks full of love.

Alison said...

You've done a great job - the eyes are especially expressive

Brenda Yarborough said...

Thank you all! Alison, the eyes were erased twice before I "got them." One of my sisters commented on how she always thought Grandpa's eyes were sad looking and that I caught that.

Sue Seibert said...

What a wonderful tribute to your grandfather. Interestingly, my most distinct picture of my grandfather who died in 1946 is with her harmonica...and eating a raw onion each morning for breakfast.