The other side of the wall. Looking at this, I realize some straightening needs to be done!
On the bottom, a needlepoint sampler I made for my mom many years ago – I’d say I was in my early 20s – and had framed. When she died, my dad gave it to me. It is priceless, of course, not because of my needlework, but because my mom had it hanging in their home for years and years.
Above it, the Use Other Stair sign which always gets a reaction. I found it in an antique shop several years ago. I loved the graphics and immediately thought it would be humorous on our stair wall, as we have no other stairs to use. It was about $25 and it’s quite heavy. It was the first thing we hung on this wall. I deliberately hung the Pointing Finger next to it.
Above that, a silhouette of me. My mom had them made of all three of her daughters. This hung on the wall of my childhood home and eventually it came to me.
Above it, a charming little print that we bought in San Diego – little boys dressed up as soldiers, playing with a water hose. It’s quite lovely.
And there you go!
We watched Parasite last night. It was stunning. Brilliant on every level. I can’t begin to describe it to you, though it has generated almost non-stop dialogue between Don and me. (We did stop to sleep.) It’s one of the best things I’ve ever seen. It operates on so many levels, and it does so impeccably. I see why it won so many awards this year. Believe me when I say it deserves every one of them. Bravo.
I’m about 3/4 of the way through The Snowman by Jo Nesbø. It’s a terrific read. Two books that I reserved have come to my local library, so I’ll go pick them up this afternoon. I want to finish the Nesbø so I can start in on the other books – there’s that library due date to consider, after all.
It’s been sunny off and on this morning, but we have a snow/ice/rain thing coming tonight. Then tomorrow morning, all rain.
There are two days this week where the temps are going to drop into the twenties during the day and single digits at night – Friday and Saturday. The same two days I have to walk around Hartford, going back and forth from the apartments to the theater. Oh, joy. I’m earning my salary!
Happy Wednesday.
kathy in iowa says
i like the mix of art and especially that it is meaningful to you and don.
that’s what i have here … a mix of things, all of it important to me (i am very sentimental and family-oriented) and none of it trendy or bought just to fill a blank spot on a wall.
anyway, thanks for sharing more of the art in your home. i enjoy seeing it and hearing stories behind some of the pieces. :)
be careful out in that weather. i hope it’s not bad, especially when you have to work!
kathy in iowa
Claudia says
I hope you’re taking it easy today, Kathy!
Alice Berkman Williams says
Me too, I wanted to say how much I love the art in your home, the designs, the signs; so much character and personality. I am so happy to see you do this, as I don’t like how many of today’s designers have nothing on the walls, so plain and sterile.
Thanks so much for sharing with us,
Alice
Claudia says
Thank you for your kind words, Alice!
Donnamae says
It’s all lovely and memorable…especially that “use other stairs” sign. Makes me smile. And that is what art should be…memorable to you. It’s nice if others admire it, but it is personal, that’s for sure. And…you only need to please yourselves. You got me looking at my own artwork…it’s either things we bought, or inherited. But it almost always has an overall theme…that of nature. Funny how you can look at things, and finally realize there is a commonality.
We have more snow coming tonight into tomorrow…then we get hit with a short deep freeze. But, at this point, even two days of frigid seems to be too much. I’m sorry you will be out in it this weekend….you’ll have to bundle up.
Enjoy the rest of your day! ;)
Claudia says
It’s like a wind tunnel in Hartford on a normal day. I can’t imagine what it will be like on Friday/Saturday! Thank you, Donnamae!
Donnamae says
You better hang on to your hat!! ;)
Claudia says
xo
Marilyn says
How lovey is the art in your home. The silhouette of you is beautiful. Hope you do not receive too much snow.
Marilyn
Claudia says
They made my nose look a bit cuter than it is, Marilyn! No bump in the middle. Thanks, Mariyn.
Nora in CT says
Hartford is not my favorite city which is too bad because we live just outside of it, but something about it seems sterile and unwelcoming to me except I love the park and the Atheneum. The few times I’ve been wandering around downtown it IS windy as heck. In New England as opposed to where I grew up, the wind cuts right thru no matter how many layers. I suppose it’s like that in your area of New York, too. We’ll be thinking of you walking around the city and hope you are warm and safe! I’m reading a very interesting book right now called The First 15 Lives of Harry August–it’s quite a fascinating mix of genres including a mystery woven into a sort of reincarnation but not a classic reincarnation story and debates on free will, concepts of god, science, etc. I don’t think it’s new, but it’s quite entertaining and I’d recommend it for your list one of these days. The author is very skillful and I can’t say that about most stuff out there. I’m off to brave the gray day and the slippery slush which they say should melt off. Once again may I say how much fun the stair art tour is!
Claudia says
It’s the kind of city that becomes rather deserted after 5 o’clock, which I think contributes to the less than welcoming quality. I love the park – it’s right outside the apartment building door – but I have only been here in the winter during the past few years, so I haven’t been partaking in its charms. Love the Atheneum and the Main Library – both of which are wonderful. That’s it, though. (Except for Hartford Stage, of course.) West Hartford is more welcoming, I think. Thanks, Nora.
jeanie says
Love the needlepoint — it’s like the pillow I needlepointed when my mom was ill in that it has a very specific batch of memories attached and even though the colors aren’t all what I have anymore, it will never be given away by me. And the silhouette –I just found one my mom had done of me in the basement when they were installing the gas for the stove. It has been badly abused by time and I need to see if I can restore it.
Be careful this weekend. As you know, storms are coming your way — they’re hitting here now in full force. I was going to go to my “Into the Woods” class today and hope I still can!
Claudia says
The storm already came last night. Now we’ll deal with very cold temps on Friday and Saturday morning. Then, back to the forties. Thanks, Jeanie!