Sunday, June 17, 2007

Fun Monday #2,153

MJD at Return of the White Robin is this week's hostess for Fun Monday. I honestly don't know how many Fun Mondays there have been - but I have enjoyed them ALL. Her challenge this week was as such: "I am asking that you show us something that hangs on your wall that is fun, interesting, endearing, sentimental, or otherwise enticing. Select the picture of Uncle Horace, Grandma Galt's needlepoint, or little Susie's first finger painting to show the blogging community." Her advice about how to take photos using the flash was good - and that's why some of these are taken from very low.

Of course, in true Tiggerlane-style, I couldn't pick just ONE favorite - but at least one item per member of our family. It's only fair.

This first item made me cry when I received it. When Amber was about 3 years old, we visited my parents in Laguna Beach, CA, and one of my uncles was selected as an exhibitor in the presitigous Festival of the Arts. A real estate broker by trade, he has always loved photography - and shot some very candid photos of Amber while we were in town. As a surprise, he sent us three portraits of her, complete with mats and frames. I was touched that he took the time and effort to send us this precious gift and that he down-played his talent by claiming it was just a "silly hobby." This is my absolute favorite, though all three hang on our dining room walls:This next photo was taken by a dear photographer friend (who is also now a dear friend of mine) and former roommate of my husband's, back in their wild and crazy days in New Smyrna Beach, FL. I'm not sure if he is dressing or undressing, but there was a nude beach involved. Before my parents met Roger, I wanted so desperately to send them this photo and say, "Hey - this is the dude I'm gonna marry!" It would have sent them into cardiac arrest. The little photo tucked in the corner was taken at a different time, but be assured, Roger IS naked in that one. Don't click it to big it, or report me to the authorities.Now, many people know I received my bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University, but they are sometimes puzzled as to why I have a picture of the school mascot on my wall. Well, my mother used to be a fabulous pastel portrait artist, and during one of my summers home from college, she talked me into attending a class with her. I'd always dabbled in art during my younger years but had never tried using pastels as a medium. I couldn't think of anything to draw, so I settled on our school mascot, Reveille IV. If you want an idea of how close I got to the photograph I was working from, check out this link, and scroll down a bit. I'm always proud when people tell me that they think my pastel work is a photograph. If you look closely at the bottom right corner, you can see my signature: "TGrant '87":
Last night, I got the pleasure of having a long visit with Arkansas Songbird after we attended a wedding together. She and I always talk about her job as a choir director and music teacher, and I'm impressed with the amount of love and care she places in her Choir Incentive Awards program. She also makes a special effort to customize the certificates achieved by her students to the particular tastes of each student. We were talking about the various point levels and The Offspring's current standing - just b/c I'm that kind of obsessive compulsive Type-A parent. I remembered that Amber achieved Level I this past year, and here is her certificate, which hangs proudly on our wall, next to the portrait I shared with you earlier:I hesitated to show you all this, since the full name of our dear blogger friend is displayed so prominently - but then, she has it displayed, along with her photograph, on her own public choir web site, so I figured it would be okay with her.

The list for this Fun Monday seems to be the longest EVER! So, it may take me a while to visit all of you - but be assured that I will start first thing in the morning! I can't wait to see what you all have hanging around!

23 comments:

Molly said...

I have enjoyed looking at your pictures and reading why these are special to you. The photograph of Amber is beautiful, and your mascot pastel is amazing. Thank you for participating in this Fun Monday.

Pamela said...

impressed by your pastels. My sis has done some pastels and charcoals....


Photo of amber is worth crying over!
Almost had me in tears just hearing you talk about it.

Anonymous said...

Very nice Tiff. You're right about the number of Fun Mondayers, I'm going to have to cut my comments down or I won't get through them all.

Jodi said...

I love the photograph of Amber... the lighting is so dramatic.

Anonymous said...

Your photograph of Amber is so beautiful. You're very talented. I agree with Pamela, you did a very impressive job.
Thankyou for sharing your treasures that are hanging.

Schmoop said...

So YOU'RE The Twelfth Man...Interesting. Cheers Tigger!!

Debs said...

Beautiful photo of your little one. I would have cried too. Great job on the pastels. I can't draw stick people. *LOL*

Great Fun Monday!

ChrisB said...

Wow you are a very talented family; your uncle has captured Amber's innocence and beauty; and your pastel picture is amazing. Any one who say 'don't' makes it almost compulsive to 'do' !!

Tiggerlane said...

mjd - thanks, and thanks for the GREAT Fun Monday assignment!

pamela - I wish I had time to do more pastels...the artist in me is often supressed. I should have shown all three portraits - they are stunning. The photo doesn't show the neat watercolor wash he did, unfortunately.

WT - I think I've visited 15, but still have many more! And this was one of the BEST yet!

jodi - thanks for popping by! And the lighting is cool - I sure miss her being that small, too.

christine - thanks for coming by! Wish I could make as much money as an artist as I can as a real estate mogul.

matt-man - yes, indeed! And a HUGE football fan as well!

debs - thanks! Amber looks very pretty - especially next to the photo of her grungy father.

chrisb - You guys are all making we want to give up my business and go into art, full-time! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

How very special that your uncle sent you that photo...all framed and everything. It is simply stunning. It's fun seeing all your treasures.

Anonymous said...

I'm lovin' Amber's photo and your pastel picture is fabulous!

AfKaP said...

What!! Your husband's roommate was min's (and my) Rabbi Uncle Bob!!?? Wow! (Not really - but they look a lot alike!) The photo of Amber is amazing and you should really keep at those pastels!! Make some time and do it!! You are very good!

Beckie said...

Fantastic list! The photograph of Amber is great as is the pastel you did. Nice work!

Have a fun Monday...I will never get the entire list done.

M@ said...

So did your uncle shoot any "candid" photos of you, Tigger?

theotherbear said...

I agree with the others - it is a fab photo of Amber.

Of course you knew I'd have to click to enlarge the nude one. I didn't see anything though.

Anonymous said...

Love the beautiful photo's taken by your Uncle. Gorgeous. And your mascot is devine. Such talent runs in your family!

Bethany said...

i love the picture of Amber.

Kila said...

Great photos.

You painted the mascot? Wow! I can't imagine having such talent. That's awesome!

Tiggerlane said...

susan - it really was a cool surprise - he really cares a lot.

nikki - many thanks! If I could make a good living as a full-time artist, I would.

purple worms (formerly) - Actually, that's my husband in the photo - he does kinda have that look, now that you mention it. Just needs a hat and some curly-Q sideburns.

beckie - day two, and I think I'm lacking maybe seven more participants.

matt - no, but I got to visit his private darkroom.

theotherbear - yeah - it's a small photo, and I think he was turned well enough away from the camera that his privates were obscured.

joy t. - at least my adoptive family! Of course, you haven't heard THE STORY - but I'm not related to anyone except my daughter.

bethany - it's something I'll treasure forever. He even sent it in a postcard form, which is also sitting on a mantle, framed.

kila - thanks, and yeah, it was the first time I had used pastels. I think I will be an artist for my next career. Would be a lot more fun that my current job!

Anonymous said...

Wow...your pastel is b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l. If you hadn't have told us the truth, I would've mistaken it for a photograph. I think you COULD make a living doing these for people....

I wish I had more B&W's of my children; it's a beautiful medium. Those pictures (even though we only saw one) are treasures...one day she'll want 'em in her home.

Funny, I don't remember this week's theme being "naked" pictures ;). Love how you managed to sneak that one in.

I didn't get my post up until last night, so that means you KNOW I'm late visiting people...how did this thing get so bloomin' big?

Anonymous said...

Last time I did fun monday I was so overwhelmed by all the comments I had to leave! It started to feel like work, so I haven't been participating. Clearly I'm lazy.

Okay, so, let me get this straight - you have the recipe for the Presidente margarita, offered to drink wine and go to my kids' school events with me for the sole purpose of talking smack about the other parents, and you have a naked picture of your man on the wall? I am officially in love with you. Don't tell Marnie - she'll be jealous.

Tiggerlane said...

Robin - good to see you! And thanks for commenting on my naked husband - wish I could get a closer shot....teehee! Maybe in my next career I'll be an artist - and hopefully, I won't go nuts and slice off an ear. This Fun Monday thing HAS gotten big - gotta love it!

melissa - I'm the world's worst commenter. I hate commenting just b/c I feel like I HAVE to - but then feel guilty if I don't.

You and I could do some SERIOUS damage together - and Marnie could come along - we'll flank you, how about that? Oh, but one drawback you might need to know about me - I love 4-inch heels and football.

Anonymous said...

4-inch heels are perfect. I'll wear mine too. And I can deal with your football addiction - hello, you're making margaritas! I don't see a problem anywhere!