remember.


May 8, 2007

Last week’s Illustration Friday word was “remember”. It made me think of the last time I visited my Grandma Josephine several months ago. She is 90.

I wanted the illustration to ‘feel’ like that moment, and I thought the words/illustration combination would be more powerful than just an illustration. (if you click on the image, you can see it big to read it.)

Posted in illustration | 9 Comments »


9 Responses to “remember.”

  1. Anonymous Says:
    May 8th, 2007 at 2:53 pm

    I love the composition… the color is perfect to get across “sweet grandma” too. But her jeans and red sweatshirt bring it more down to reality in my mind… it’s telling of what the story says. If it were a different grandma I would think of her instead wearing something like a pretty dress or a cardigan. I don’t know if that makes sense. I’m saying that I like your choice here… (sheesh… takes me a while to get it out! hee!)

    I like your handwriting at the top too… not sure about the typeset of the first line.. it was a little bit of a disconnect for me. I think it would be prettier if it were a bit more of your writing (only bigger maybe)… but that’s just cause you asked that I critique with a critical eye.

    I think it looks wonderful, miss.

    xo


  2. Anonymous Says:
    May 8th, 2007 at 2:54 pm

    oops. That above comment was me: penelope…

    I’m 0 for 2 today!


  3. coloredsock Says:
    May 8th, 2007 at 3:06 pm

    heya miss penelope. oh i love your name! fun to say and write…

    thanks for your thoughts! i was also wondering about that first line of type…if it worked or not. i think you are right. also, i think the only time i can remember my grandma wearing a pretty dress is at someone’s wedding…and she used to be a “queen crochet-ER”.


  4. Jas P. Says:
    May 9th, 2007 at 6:05 am

    I actually like the mix of typography and hand-lettering. The type sort of anchors the paragraph like a headline.

    It’s a lovely piece of writing, like much of what I’ve read that you’ve written. You have a knack for presenting a moment without any judgment intruding, which leaves enough room for feeling to come into the room. Open door writing.

    Bravo, Jen.


  5. coloredsock Says:
    May 9th, 2007 at 7:34 am

    hey jim, thanks for your comments. i do like how the first line is ‘different’ from the handwritten, just didn’t know if that type was best or distracting…and what you said about presenting a moment without judgment or intruding, i’m happy you felt that.

    my writer friend/teacher just suggested this, “to add the words “before I was born” after 1961 (with a comma after 1961), to hint at the circularity of life and death; how young and astute you are, how old and senile she’s becoming…”

    i thought that was a great suggestion…


  6. Lisa Says:
    May 9th, 2007 at 1:15 pm

    It’s a beautiful and touching illustration.

    Someone in the post office today was sending a nice package to her Mother. The postman made a comment about it not getting there in time and she said “well, she has alzheimer’s. She’ probably doesn’t even know it’s Mother’s Day..I’ll be lucky if she knows it’s from me.” She smiled and laughed but I just knew that her heart was hurting.

    Hugs to you.


  7. Jen's mom Says:
    May 23rd, 2007 at 11:35 am

    Since she is MY mom, let me say I think you have captured her enigmatic personality to a T. She’s not your everday grandma for sure and I see forgetfullness and some weariness of life around her in your painting. I love you even more Jen. Thanks for making mom “just right”


  8. coloredsock Says:
    May 23rd, 2007 at 7:21 pm

    Mom, you’re so cool. thanks for your comment. i’m glad you like the illustration of Grandma. although i don’t see her much, i think about her a lot. i know i haven’t been her favorite (hehe) but i still have so much love and respect for her.

    you are the best mom EVER, in case i haven’t told you…


  9. therese Says:
    May 30th, 2007 at 8:11 am

    all right, your going to make me cry. she looks perfect, just like mom! i almost forgot all about Freddy the Freeloader….. do you know how he died? mom put some thingy that was suppose to kill bugs up on the wall right next to the cage. you plugged it in and it made this white fluffy stuff that came out of it…. it was blue.. well poor Freddy, it also killed birds!! good ol mom, she never did like animals! she does look “sweet” penelope, but don’t let that fool you!!! she is one of a kind! Jen, someday I want a copy of this one framed, it’s something i would like to keep and display. love you, aunt therese


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