Today I'm sharing with you the bittersweet inspiration of my modern beach series of paintings called "Long Lost Days" and also the fact that I've created a whole new online Etsy shop to show them off.
I'm still running my other shop at full pelt, but I felt this series needed a whole shop to itself, especially as I seem to be adding to the series constantly.
This series comes from the fact that I was sort of sad when my children grew up and left home. Not that I didn't want them to fly the nest. But, you know, no matter how much your brain tells you it's the way it should be and you've done a great job, your heart feels a little bit empty.
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| © Mary Kemp. Blustery Walk Before Tea" I can see this very busy puppy on a mission to trip someone up! |
Like most parents I'd been so busy battling through the everyday that I hadn't realised how precious those days were until they were gone.
Now I realise that part of my life is behind me.
I still see my children and their families often but I am a bit player instead of the main protagonist.
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| © Mary Kemp "Three Cousins" I don't know where their parents were but they seemed OK.... |
And with that comes great benefits!
No more organising trips, making sure everyone is fed and watered, and worrying about inappropriate clothing. The buck no longer stops with me. My children are adults and their children are their responsibility. In fact if I play my cards right someone else might take on responsibility for me and make sure I have everything I need. (fat chance!)
But one of the great advantages of this state is that now I can truly observe life because I am no longer on duty.
When my children were little I ached to paint them, incorporate them into my paintings. Now it's my grandchildren who take their places, and some look so like their parents.
I've been painting this current series of paintings for about 2 years now, and it took me a while to realise that they were really scenes from the past, not the present day.
I suppose it is my way of adjusting to circumstances.
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| © Mary Kemp "Walking on Wet Sand" I can see a lot of wet shoes and socks after this little adventure. |
I called this series "Long Lost Days" but I think it's a bit maudlin so I have settled for "Modern Beach Paintings" for the time being.
The series has grown so much I've created a whole new shop for it on Etsy, and included some of the paintings as prints.
Here's the link!
And especially for you is a discount code . Just type in SEASIDEFRIENDS at checkout for a 15% discount.
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