Washline Nostalgia


I must say I was daydreaming lately. Was it the snow, finishing up my hand-painted journal for the 2009 One World One Heart Giveaway, or wishes of Springtime?

Washline-Whimsey

All I know is that I have been painting nostalgic washlines lately with a whimsical spirit. This one is called Going Home.



I call these little paintings Mini Original Watercolor Paintings. I found these lovely pieces of Vintage material in an antique shop tucked in the corner of a nearby historical town. There were several tiny squares of coordinating fabrics. They look just like the fabrics I remember from the 50's.




Washlines always provoke sweet memories of my mother hanging wash when I was a child.




When the clothes and linens were dry, folded neatly and brought inside, the sweet aroma was so comforting. This one I call Washline Apronology.



I remember when my mom's organza and cotton aprons hung on the line to dry. The ribbons would blow in the wind and her washlines always seemed so color coordinated.



These small original watercolor mixed-media paintings reflect those sweet memories.




The mini original measures just 4 x 5 1/2 inches landscape. The edges of the paper are scalloped. I used Windsor Newton watercolor paints and Vintage fabrics. The whimsical and light-hearted subject sing with nostalgia.



I have just placed four of these "One-of-a-kind" mini original paintings on a shelf in my little shop.

Washline Whimsey

One of the designs I call Washline Crow.

My creation

nce upon a time...We had just moved to Hicksville, Long Island and I was about ten years old. As my mother tells the story, our next-door neighbors had a pet crow. They had taught it how to talk and often let him go outside. He didn't go far, and loved to call to my mom when she was out hanging the wash.

Washline-with-crow-go-home

Evidently the crow used to also go over to our other neighbor's yard and knock at her door. Mrs. Worthesson used to be quite annoyed and yell "Go Home." So this was his favorite saying. He also used to steal the socks off my mom's washline. I remember that old crow sitting on the roof waiting for a chance to swipe a sock or two. He would yell "Go Home", and my mom would miss home. He had a grand old time!



Well, I hope you like the washlines, I have been working on a few more.

The nostalgic song for this post...sigh, is At Last. I am a sucker for romance. Yesterday was an amazing day, and I can't remember a new president and first lady looking so romantic on the dance floor before. Sigh, the scene was right out of a movie, and Beyonce was perfect, serenading our future. She painted a beautiful memory with her voice last night. One I will never forget. The image is etched into my mind and tugs at my thankful...hopeful heart today.
Paula said...

Karen, these are wonderful! I just finished a laundry room remodel, so they're especially significant to me today! Lovely work!

~Paula

LiLi M. said...

We up here enjoyed the ceremony too. What a man, what positive energy! It was a ceremony never to forget, it felt like we were watching making history and I was moved all the time.

Your work is fantastic! I have enjoyed this post very much again! Thanks!

Vee said...

Wouldn't these be darling in a redone laundry room? What a funny story about the crow...loved that picture. Wish that I could hang laundry out for a clean fresh scent, but there's a recycling center just across the way...sigh...

Kathleen said...

Karen, I love your washday lines. I used to love hanging clothes out to dry...the smell has never been duplicated.
Yesterday was a day filled with hope....It was just amazing. Blessings, Kathleen

xashee's corner said...

i LOVE the washline paintings and the story of the crow too!! :D Thank you for sharing! Hope you have a WONDERFUL Wednesday! :D

MARIA said...

Dear Karen,
your "Wasline Nostalgia" is so great. You brought me my childhood memory too. I love your Mini Original Watercolor Paintings!
I was watching yesterday's inauguration ceremony too. I never forget this historical day! All people together, all the same.
Let there be Peace and Love in the whole world!

My best wishes to you!

Kathy said...

Hi Karen, the washline pictures are darling! I am thankful to live in the country where I still have a clothesline. It doesn't prevent me from remembering the one behind my great-granmother's house. I would hide in the folds of drying sheets and drink in that fresh clean smell. Thank you for bringing back a sweet memory. ~Kathy

Donna said...

Hi Karen,
Your little washlines are wonderful. I can't help but think of my grandmother's wash hanging out on the washline in the summer breeze. Great memories.

Hugs,
Donna

Kathleen Grace said...

I love washline paintings, if I had a laundry room instead of a dungeon I would put them up there:>) The story about the crow made me smile, how unique to have a talking crow on your line!

Mimi Sue said...

I remember hanging laundry as a little girl. Lots of hard work. But nobody needed to go to the gymn. Beautiful pictures. Mimi

Deanna said...

SA-WEET! Awesome job. I love your art. I wish had artistic talent but I am so content to be able to see the talent of others.

I am full of memories now as I just remembered how much I used to love to hang out towels that my mother had washed. The smell of the fresh air with the light bleach my mom used to wash the towels was so intoxicating. I must have been somewhere around ten years old and my father had a steel company make my mother several clotheslines. They are still standing today except instead of hanging clothes on them my mom hangs windchimes, bird feeders and plants. The steel frames are always covered with morning glory. So precious.

Thank you for posting such wonderful art.

Warmly,
Deanna :)

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Very sweet images! I have a new pattern to make little aprons and hang them on a line. I love this concept! I guess we are all ready of Spring!

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

I grew up with hanging out laundry to dry in the sun. I still do it today. I really like your paintings they so remind me of my Grandmother!! Have a great week-end...Mary

The Quintessential Magpie said...

These are the absolute cutest paintings ever! Just adorable! Great job!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Anonymous said...

Good morning Karen. I really enjoyed your post today and your lovely wash line art. Especially the story about the crow.

I remember the wash line very well. Especially hanging diapers. Millions of them!^_^ I always hung my clothes very organized. All things alike together and very neat. Not by color, although I like the idea.

Your art is outstanding as usual. It is always a pleasure to visit your posts.

Hugs...Jeanne

Betzie said...

So sweet...I always remember my grandmother hanging her clothes out to dry on her long, long clothes line...such a labor of love!

Anonymous said...

Hello Karen,

These are fabulous!

~ Gabriela ~

Deirdra Doan said...

So sweet I am glad I found you!

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Wasn't the ball last night just perfect? My daughter chose At Last for her wedding!

Love your new washline collection! And the stories of your mother's apron strings blowing in the wind & of the crow!

Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

Rhondi said...

Hi Karen
Your litle paintings are precious. I like the subject and the title apronology.
Hope you had a great day!
Hugs, Rhondi

Jona Panesa said...

oh, those are beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Karen, these are wonderful! I just love seeing my wash hanging to dry in the summer.

Manuela

tea time and roses said...

Hello Karen!

These are just lovely! I so clearly remember as children us helping mom hang the clothes on the line. There is nothing like the smell of freshly washed sun dried clothes. Thanks so much for the memory.

Smiles...

Beverly

Teresa aka Tess said...

Aww, I love these, so pretty.....

Laume said...

Oh, I know, didn't they look romantic together on the dance floor - I just felt all giggly watching them together!
Washlines have a special place in my heart as well. What a great idea for using snippets of favorite fabrics (and those gray and white prints are fabbo!), I might have to give something like this a try myself.

Aihara Ramintessah Sanchez said...

nice painting.I really envy you with your skills.lol!

HeARTworks said...

The washline art is great! had a nice time visiting today!

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