A little tour for you of my dad’s paintbox, with some commentary here and there:
The back, where the hinges are, has some duct tape on it – just two pieces. It must have seemed a bit rickety, so Dad secured it.
The top tray.
A bottle of linseed oil that leaked long ago. It’s now permanently attached to the wood. I tried to loosen it and it’s not budging.
Character.
The bottom tray. He had lots of brushes, some of which are unused, palette knives, big brushes for priming the canvas, I expect, and lots of oil paint.
Winsor and Newton has been going strong for a long time. My oils are made by Winsor and Newton, and so are Dad’s.
I remember Grumbacher paints and brushes. They’re still being sold today.
Dad’s palette and a Grumbacher brush.
Now I remember dad occasionally watching Bob Ross on PBS.
I think the box itself is a work of art. Well used tubes of paint, brushes, solvents, cleaners, paint marks – it’s all lovely to me.
It was airing out on the funky patio all day yesterday. I’m going to do it again today. Hopefully, that musty smell (which isn’t all that bad) will dissipate.
Some of the brushes are new, still in the package, so I might use them. Or I might just leave everything as is in homage to my dad, who found peace through painting, a respite from the demons that sometimes plagued him.
I’m so honored to have it here at the cottage.
Love you, Daddy.
Happy Thursday.
That is so cool! So much to explore in that wooden box! Lots for you to wonder about as you begin your oil painting. Reminds me of my Dad’s old fishing tackle box that I have in the basement. That was his relaxing, calming hobby – fishing!
My dad also fished – he was an excellent fly fisherman and tied his own flies. His other form of relaxation!
Stay safe, Ellen!
The box! I’m so happy for you. It will be an inspiration whether you use any of it or not.
Happy painting!
Thank you, Marilyn!
I’m so happy to have it here!
Stay safe.
You have a wonderful heart. You honor your lost ones in such loving ways.
Take Care,
Kaye
Park City, UT
Thank you, Kaye. You are so kind.
Stay safe!
oh, thank you for sharing your father’s paintbox with us. what a beautiful gift you have to look at that will surely prompt memories of your father, bring inspiration and perhaps be physically used again!
i, too, have mixed feelings about using/altering family pieces … part says “use them, enjoy them” and i know that it’s a “thing” … but part of me wants to keep those things as left by people i dearly love and greatly miss, as a tribute.
anyway, glad you have it and hope you keep painting. you’ve made a great start!
happy thursday.
kathy in iowa
I suspect I’ll leave it as is and collect my own supplies. The only thing I will do is air it out and use some wood conditioner on he outside.
Thanks, Kathy!
Stay safe.
That’s lovely. Thanks for sharing. He would be honored knowing you treasure it as would your mom.
Eileen
Thank you, Eileen.
Stay safe.
I absolutely love this homage to your father, Claudia…the paint box that is beyond cool, your beginning to oil paint. I love how you are honoring your past by adding a new aspect to your present, which always does well for your future.
Thank you for your kind words, Wendy.
Stay safe!
What a sweet homage to your dad! A very special treasure indeed. Have a great day!
Thank you, April!
Stay safe.
What a wonderful treasure to have from your Dad. Beautiful!!
Marion
Thank you, Marion!
Stay safe.
This is a work of art. I love the bottles and brushes and paints. It’s story and should be enjoyed as is I agree. I use Windsor and Newton watercolors and have some Grumbacher brushes. The photos are beautiful and would be a lovely collective addition to any art room. I love best the memories it evokes for you. Hugs!
Thank you, Linda!
Stay safe.
How neat! Do you have any of your dads paintings?
Yes, Judy, I have several.
Thank you!
Stay safe.
This is, without doubt, my favorite post of the day. Or week! It has everything I love — paint, something old, something terribly personal, art, heritage, family, love. The best.
Thank you, Jeanie!
Stay safe.
It would be like one of the best finds in a favorite antique shop. Wonderful! Thank you for sharing; what a fabulous keepsake.
When we moved into my parents’ home after they were both deceased, and I was busy with something else, my husband tore into my dad’s desk and moved everything without asking me. He thought he was helping. But I lost that last vestige of how things were; all my dad’s little ‘things’. Otherwise, I’d be sitting at it right now, with the pens in the same middle drawer, etc. It’s always been a loss to me because my dad sat at the desk for 45 years in the same place; the desk was never moved (it’s huge). A child’s memory of it of course. But it’s like Mom’s sewing box or her jewelry box; just being able to open it without things inside being altered. These are the treasures and I’m glad you’ve got yours!
Yes. It’s now closed and will stay that way, mostly, as it has a strong odor of paints and solvents and it’s musty. But it will live in the studio and it’s good knowing that I can open it any time I want to.
Stay safe.
What a great treasure you have of your father. I have a few things that were my daddy’s. Some days they bring smiles and some days many tears. He died in a car accident only days after we made plans to get together and the last words we spoke to each other were, I love you. I have his diary from WW 2, which he should never have written but did, it’s full of awful things that happened during his time in the Pacific. No matter what we have of our father’s we have the memories, some good, some bad. I treasure his cards to me and his handwriting, you are fortunate to have paints and paintings.
hej, barbara …
so sorry for the loss of your father. i am glad you were able to tell each other how you feel and that you’ll be able to do that again in the future.
also glad you have your father’s journal (tough as parts of it might be to read) and his cards to you.
will be praying for you. in the meantime, i’m sending a virtual hug, if you like.
kathy in iowa
Thank you, my daddy was a good man, we were poor growing up but we never really knew it as we always managed some how. My mother is 98 and still good with her memory in tact. I love Claudie’s posts each day and look forward to reading them and the replies she gets. God Bless you for your reaching out and caring for those you don’t know.
Oh, I’m so sorry that you lost your dad.
That diary must be very powerful and emotional, Barbara. Bless him.
I have little cards from my dad, too, and I treasure them.
Stay safe.
I love this. Your father touched these items. His fingerprints are on them. I hope someone has the last painting he was working on. Somewhat like a spouse or child keeping the last book a loved one was reading with the bookmark in place. Worth more than anything. I have no material possessions or just a few…a minimalist. My past collections have gone to family and friends to enjoy. Items like the paint box the best.
All of his paintings (and we really have no idea which one was his last) have been distributed among his children and grandchildren. Meredith and I did that after he died.
Thanks, Brenda.
Stay safe.
What a treasure you now have in your hands to keep and remember your Dad. I’ve heard that placing a small bowl of baking soda or ammonia inside an item for a short time can sometimes absorb odors. Haven’t tried it myself so not sure if it works.
I was touched by the fact that you referred to your Dad as Daddy. I called my Dad Daddy until the day he passed away and I was almost fifty years old at the time.
Yes, I’ve used baking soda, but it never really takes away the smell entirely. It does help a bit. Takes a long time!
I called him Daddy until he died and I was 63 or 64 at the time. My mom once told me that Dad loved that I still called him Daddy.
Stay safe, Cathy.
What a wonderful treasure and such inspiration. Go for it!
Thank you, Melissa.
Stay safe.
Just beautiful, Claudia. Things like that can keep me spellbound. I look at those items, and though I certainly never met your Dad, the idea that he touched those things and used those things, fascinates me. I certainly love some dishes and linens which have been passed along to me, but I think differently about them because of all the times they have been washed and used. Something like that box sort of takes my breath away because it is just a degree away from your Dad. No one has straightened it, or tried to clean it, or discard things. So wonderful to just contemplate…..
It really is just a degree away from him. It still contains his energy, in a way.
Thank you so much, Chris.
Stay safe.
Claudia my mom had the exact same box, sadly I didnt keep it. I have most of her paintings. Now to your first attempt. You have a good eye and the perspective is spot on. You also captured the light and the greens were very nicely. Did you sketch it out first or just started painting?. See about taking some classes now that things are opening up. You live in an area where there are many creative people. You would love it. The studio and energy from other students . I can;t wait to get back. Keep your paints out..bring a sketch book outside your pretty cottage and go for it. You will be surprised how addictive painting can be. In a good way.
No, I just started painting.
I need to get a sketch book, I haven’t done that yet.
Thank you, Maria.
Stay safe.
What a beautiful thing to have, and how lucky are you to have a really special reminder of your dad. I have my father’s very worn money wallet and I carry it in my handbag. Some objects carry just so much meaning.
I’m sure your dad’s wallet is priceless to you, Denise.
Thank you.
Stay safe.
Beautiful xo
Thank you, Naomi.
Stay safe.
Oh WOW! What a treasure! All the memories this holds…
It is priceless, Mamey.
Thank you!
Stay safe.