And then there's the funky stuff...

When she gets going there is no stopping her.  Victoria gets an idea and off she goes.  No telling where the ideas come from, and sometimes the colors are the markers she happens to have on hand.  So here are a couple of charmers.  Not sure who they are, or even if they are really people, but who can deny their charm, graphic qualities, and color.  There is always color!

Summer 2011

This colorful dude hung in my office on a cork board lighting up the room for a year or so.  Then the tack fell off, he landed on my desk and sort of lay there, up against the back of my desk unit for months.  At some point some liquid spilled (water, coffee, tears, who knows), drops clearly landing and leaving that great water color quality.  Today I saw him leaning there, smiling (always smiling) and realized I HAVE to share him!

Blockhead -  Fall 2011

And then there is Blockhead, which is what I call him/her.  He looks kinda angry, but his eye sockets are colorful perspective.  I don't think he is unfinished, Victoria just chose to make him a colorful face kinda person, as opposed to a colorful clothes kinda person.  Maybe she is a girl and she has a ruffle at the end of her very straight line dress.  The sleeves DO seem to have a puffy top.  Interpretations welcome!

More People!!!

Ours is a large, loud, and tight family.  We actually don't see each other often and when we all get together (four generations at this point) there are somewhere between 35 ad 40 of us.  Yes, I lose count and as such am happy to be blamed for Victoria's math skills or lack thereof. 

My parent's are to blame for all of this, they are each one of two siblings in their families.  I, however, am second of seven.  Victoria is grandchild #5, granddaughter #2, and #1 in our hearts and minds.  When my son Alex was born (#1 grandchild) he called my father 'pop-pop' and my mother 'granmonna.'  It stuck and hence the identifiers below, although Victoria says she tried to write 'grandmommy' on the drawing. 

I always love the shoes on anyone wearing pants, they are a perfect fit for the design, although the crotch is often at the hem of the shirt, I don't think I have ever seen a belt, just don't need 'em.  My mother's dress is in keeping with her attire, the hearts a great adornment.  And of course you can tell their a couple, cause they're holding hands!  They have been married over 55 years, lots of hand holding over the years!

Pop-pop and Granmonna

What is not obvious from the drawing is that my parents are 6'2" and 6' respectively.  It's all in the hands/eyes of the beholder.

Introduction

Victoria's Work

 

A few months ago I posted a couple of Victoria' pieces on my Facebook page.  I have always been a fan, of her work, and her being, which  I suppose is natural as Victoria is my daughter.  When I posted the work I threatened to begin a blog where more of her work could be posted for all to enjoy and interpret.

Although well intentioned I managed to not follow through on my action.  Day before yesterday I caught up, in person, with a friend I had not seen in 37 years - but with whom I had recently re-connected on Facebook.  After some conversation on family and life she asked when I was going to get started with posting more of Victoria's work.  I was dumbstruck.  I didn't think anyone was paying attention.  I should have known better.  I am indebted to Elena for spurring me into action.

Victoria is today - 24 June 2012 - a 25 year old in whom I recognized developmental delays at the age of one month.  She was supported by Special Education programs her entire academic career and made life long friends in those programs.

Victoria can read at a 7-8th grade level, has marginal math skills, loves to listen to music and has always enjoyed drawing for distraction, relaxation, and self expression.  The below is one of her many intricate line drawings.  I learn more from Victoria in a day than I could learn from a room full pf PhDs in a year.  I often learn things about myself I don't like, but I hope I learn all the same.  I am excited about sharing her work.

PS - Thanks Elena!