Oh, boy. It’s cold here. The temperature is now 20 degrees, but it feels like 4 degrees. It will be the same tomorrow when the snow arrives. Right now, it looks like we’ll get anywhere from 2 – 6 inches. Here’s hoping it’s on the low end. Nonetheless, I’m looking forward to watching snow fall during the day tomorrow. It’s been a while. Just not too much, please.
Kathy mentioned yesterday that she’d love to see some of the artwork we have on our walls, sparked by yesterday’s photo which showed something on the wall by the front door. I’d love to share that with you. We have a lot of it, comprising vintage, new, photos, watercolors, my dad’s oil paintings, signs…you name it.
The piece that Kathy spied yesterday is a vintage calendar print (we think) of a Norman Rockwell painting. The print itself is quite old; we can tell by the frame and the backing. I’d say 30s or 40s. This is the original frame. We found it several years ago when we were renting in Westchester County. I can’t remember whether we found it there or in the Berkshires. Something tells me it was the Berkshires.
It’s called “It’s Your Move.”
It shows a group of circus performers gathered together backstage playing a game of checkers. It’s so vivid, with each person beautifully painted and realized. As in all Norman Rockwell paintings, a moment in time is evoked by body position, facial expression, clothing, and subject matter. He was so good at that. There’s a clown, a ringmaster, an animal tamer, a female performer, and a performing dog, with a ruff around his neck. You can see part of the circus tent in the background. I love the details: the animal trainer is sitting on a bucket, the clown is sitting on a wooden box with the number 5 painted on the side – maybe it’s used in performances. The ringmaster’s top hat is on the floor and he’s smoking a stogie, completely engrossed in the game. Love the mustache on the animal trainer and the adorable and tired mutt, resting between performances. And the lovely young girl, maybe she rides bare back on the performing horses? She’s seen the men playing and is now watching the game. The clown is a little cocky, knowing that he’s got the upper hand.
As longtime performers in the theater, we are very familiar with the ongoing activities/games that sometimes occur backstage while awaiting entrances. This reminds us of them.
I just love this piece. It’s one of our favorites.
I also love the green mat and the old off-white frame. I have a few pieces that are framed in off-white – almost cream colored – frames, and I love them. We always assumed this came from a calendar, but it might be a print someone purchased. I don’t want to take off the backing or disturb it, so we’re content to not know for sure.
It’s a little gem and one we treasure.
Happy Friday.
And great details, they are. Looks like their gameboard is set atop a drum. Love it!
Yes, it is! Thanks, Shanna.
Love that print. The details are wonderful.
I wish we could share our snow. We’ve had twice our “normal” January snowfall by the 15th this year. Yesterday we snowblowed/shoveled three times! Plus, I chipped ice for almost three hours. We have a break today with more forecast for tomorrow. Thankfully the powers that be tell us it will warm up into the 30’s next week and maybe some of it will melt.
Blessings,
Betsy
We had that in December. We had huge amounts of snow! Hang in there, Betsy!
i agree with you about norman rockwell’s art. look at that clown’s expression, for example … and the position of his hand … perfect! my favorite part of this one is the dog … and that this art reminds you and don about your jobs, you have it (the print/calendar) and love it.
thanks for sharing this, claudia!
i have a mix of art, too … photos, prints, originals (including some by my beloved, talented mother), old signs … and love it all!
best wishes on the weather. we are in the middle of a snow/ice storm. i worked a couple hours this morning, left after the snow had been falling an hour. a trip that usually takes at most 20 minutes took an hour today and was super-stressful: couldn’t see the lane markers on the freeway nor anything further than a block ahead of me, the snow is adding up and blowing around, the intersections are both slippery and easy to get stuck in, there were some people driving like it was a beautiful summer day and i broke one of my windshield wipers (driver’s side, naturally) trying to get the ice off it … a scary mess … and forecast to continue until 6:00 pm tomorrow night. so i am home … but “be careful what you ask for “, huh?!
hope you’re having a good day!
kathy in iowa
Oh, I’ve been through that kind of nail-biting trip home in bad weather. It leaves you exhausted. So glad you made it home safely. Stay safe, Kathy!
The original painting, “Checkers” is in the Norman Rockwell museum. It was done in 1928 and accompanied a story in The Ladies Home Journal. It really is stunningly colorful. It has been on display many times.
I’m sure I saw it there, as I’ve been there a few times, but there’s so much to see there that I can’t remember it. Thanks, Nancy.
Kathy had a wonderful idea…glad you are doing this Claudia. It’s nice to see the artwork up close…and to get your perspective. It’s also nice to see the details of a home. We know a good deal about your McCoy for instance…but your artwork? Not so much. I like this one…very whimsical.
It’s cold here too, and snow should be upon us in about an hour. Might be getting close to blizzard conditions with the wind kicking up. It sounds like a good night to snuggle inside! ;)
Very cold – what happened to our 40s temps??? Ah well. It was bound to change sooner or later. Thanks, Donna!
I love the art on your walls and all the eclectic items that make it Claudia and Don’s home! This one is fun. Not a clown fan but this one doesn’t bother me. Hugs!
Me either, but this clown is different. Thanks, Linda!
I agree he is different and so not scary.
yep.
I like your vintage art, but I’m not going to lie. I am very afraid of clowns.
I am very taken with that round floral cushion on your green sofa. Do you happen to recall where you found it?
The cold here this week makes me wonder why it is that minus 40 Celsius is also minus 40 Fahrenheit. Also makes me wonder why people think it’s okay to walk their dogs in this weather.
I found it in some discount home store a couple of years ago.
Yes, why are they walking their dogs when it’s that cold???
Thanks, Barbara.
Hi,
For all who waiting for more snow, check out Youtube. Monty Don has a new series Gardens of America. I was able to watch episode one for free on Youtube. Also his older series about the 80 Gardens of the World is available on Youtube. In Michigan, we are awaiting our fate-some snow, no snow, wet snow or toooooo much snow!
I’ll check out that first episode, Nancy. Thanks for the tip!
Love that Norman Rockwell painting. It is so realistic. Hoping for a light amount of snow tomorrow. Take care.
Marilyn
Fingers crossed, Marilyn!
Great artwork! Wonderful subject that I haven’t seen represented very often, if at all. BTW, the book I wrote about yesterday: I totally messed up the title. Of course, now I don’t remember the real title, but I do think it’s worth reading, so I’ll write it down next time I’m upstairs and make sure to get the author too. This brain…she is not so sharp anymore. If we get a pretty snowfall, I will be thinking of you as I cuddle on the window seat with a cat or two and we watch the snowflakes with you. It’s a soothing sight, say you say, as long as it’s not too much. Have a beautiful weekend.
I hope we get a pretty snowfall, Nora. I almost welcome it as a contrast to all the faded browns and dead grass. Stay safe and enjoy!
This is fabulous. I adore Rockwell. A few years ago we visited the Rockwell museum in Stockbridge and I think in the same year or not long after, the Boy Scout Museum (then in TX) which had an enormous collection of Rockwells, both the scouting ones as well as others. The detail always takes my breath away. I love illustration, I love the stories and each one is a little story, a little theatre scene, a trigger for a mini-movie.
This one is exquisite — I’ve never seen the original but I can see why you were drawn to it. You’re right about the frame. It’s especially nice with this one. What a great find.
It’s so dear to us. Don remembers that we saw it in a shop in the Berkshires, decided to walk away, and then – because we couldn’t get it out of our heads, drove all the way back and bought it.