Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Finally. I'm Back.

We took a lightning trip to London to see our daughter's painting in the National Portrait Gallery. I'm a small town girl and not a big city fan. I didn't like New York, so I was dreading London.  I got there and LOVED it. It's such an amazing city. One minute you're in a crowd of people, the next a park.  It's a fascinating place with so many things to do and see, not the least of them the Portrait Gallery.  The art work was amazing. So much variety with such divergent backgrounds. Most of the artists had art degrees. But I saw at least two artists that listed self-taught on their cards. All the portraits looked like the artists had years of training.
This is Meghan's work. Her husband built the frame for her.  The off center look was due to yours truly and how I was holding the phone.

Her father taking a picture of the portrait:)

AND....
Some outdoor art.

So what's been going on in my absence? Spill it;)


50 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

Welcome back oh proud mama. I am surprised that you didn't BURST with pride.
And very glad to liked London.

nashvillecats2 said...

Welcome back Sandra, so pleased you loved London....just a few hours away from me. How proud you must be of your daughter.

Yvonne.

Valerie-Jael said...

Good to see you back again, and glad you enjoyed London and seeing your daughter's wonderful portrait in the National Gallery, how fantastic! Hugs, Valerie

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I would suggest your daughter is from the school of realism. I swear at first, I thought the painting was a photo of a woman looking into a mirror. It's a beautiful painting, and I suspect you are one very proud mother.

That was some pretty great "outdoor art," too.

Sorry Sandra, nothing to spill here. I lead a boring life, so hope you took lots of photos of London so I can live vicariously.

Heather R. Holden said...

Glad London ended up being such a fun city for you to explore! And wow, your daughter's painting is absolutely amazing! So impressively lifelike...

Also, as a self-taught artist myself, it's cool knowing that a couple people without degrees had their work featured in that gallery, too! Must've been fun to see all that gorgeous art in person...

Pat Hatt said...

Glad London beat stuffy old NY. Awesome that you got to see it there. She did an amazing job indeed.

Anonymous said...

We're not telling what has been happening in your absence. You will have to find out for yourself, but to save you time, don't bother with my blog.

Amazing to flit off to London and quite an honour for your daughter. I like the slightly weird framing.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Welcome back! What an honor to see your daughter's work hung there. London is an amazing town. I lived there for a few months and still didn't get to see everything I wanted to see.

CJ Kennedy said...

Congratulations to you daughter! And Miranda! The frame is beautiful, too. You can use the perspective correction tool in PSP to correct odd angle photos.

CJ Kennedy said...

Oh, and welcome home!

Jamie Ghione said...

Welcome back! Love that picture.

donna baker said...

You must be so proud! I love London too but hope to travel around Great Britain next time.

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks, EC. Yes, we're bursting:)
London was wondrous.

Sandra Cox said...

Thank you so much, Yvonne;)

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks, Val:)
Hugs received and returned.

Sandra Cox said...

Thank you, Elizabeth. I love realism paintings too. Unfortunately, it's not that appreciated in art education.
Most of the time our daily routine is pretty mundane also.

Donna said...

You must be busting out all over with smiles! The painting is wonderful!! Well Done!
I can't stand NY City either...Too much humanity in one spot. Give me a farm, a cow, a couple of chickens and I'm happy.
Glad your home safe and sound!
hughugs

Sandra Cox said...

Heather, the portraits by self-taught artists were stunning, as is your work:)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Sandra - no wonder you went off to London 'town' ... isn't it a great city - and so much to do. Your daughter is incredibly talented to have her work exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery - I was a member and will rejoin when I return. It's a stunning portrait ... so so clever - congratulations to Meghan. Great she's as talented as this - fantastic to see ... cheers Hilary

Sandra Cox said...

Thank you, Pat. London was such a delight, though you did have to be on your toes when crossing the streets. Heh.

Sandra Cox said...

Don't bother with your blog. Ha!
This was extreme flitting for us:)

Out on the prairie said...

Pretty cool to be part of. Love the town myself.

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks for the welcome back, Alex:)
An honor indeed.
I didn't realize you ever lived in London. That must have been a wonderful experience.

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks for the welcome home, CJ:)
You are my PSP guru:)

Sandra Cox said...

Thank you, Jamie:) Much appreciated.

Sandra Cox said...

You betcha! :)
We would love to visit Great Britain too, just don't want to get back on an airplane to do it:)

da tabbies o trout towne said...

sandra; how....epic-ally.....cool....is.....this !!!

what a great opportunity for you and the mister and your daughter; this painting is amazing; daughter has a God given talent, no doubt. thanx for the share; we hope you've got more photos !!

and round blogland ~~~~~ welllllll :) ♥♥☺☺

Sandra Cox said...

Hey Donna,
Well I can't take credit for the painting, but I'll take half credit for the artist:) Heh.
I'm with ya on NYC. And besides the excess of people, part of my problem was the lack of green.
The parks in London reminded me of NC.

Sandra Cox said...

Thank you, Hilary. London is a great city for sure.
That is so exciting that you were a member, and will be again.

Birgit said...

Your daughter is very talented and has capturedso much of her friend in this portrait. It reminds me of a famous painter that died quite young and...I can't recall his name..Dang! I'm glad you had a great time in London and with your daughter. European cities are vastly different from North American ones. I have been helping my best friend pack, visited with hubby's sister and bro-in-law. we had our friends' mother over for dinner since the brothers are away in Paris for a week. I have been told to get my C-Pac machine and use it! Cleaning and the usual ass on couch evenings.

Blue Grumpster said...

That's impressive, Sandra! You must be so proud. Excellent painting.

Christine said...

Congrats to your daughter, welcome home! London's on my bucket list even more now.

Sandra Cox said...

It sure is, Steve.
London takes my breath away.

Sandra Cox said...

Thank you so much, FSG.
Stay tune tomorrow:) Heh. Heh.

RO said...

Wow! Isn't it cool that your daughter is not only talented, but famous! I adore that lovely painting, and glad that you enjoyed London so much! We kept the light on! Hugs...RO

Sandra Cox said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sandra Cox said...


Sounds like you've been busy.
I'm embarrassed to admit that London struck me as a much friendlier, relaxed city than most of ours in the US.

Sandra Cox said...

Thank you so much, Blue:)
Yes, very proud;)

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks so much, Christine.
Hope you get to see it.

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks so much, Ro.
The light guided me home:)
Hugs received and returned.

Truedessa said...

Welcome Back! I am sure that was a very proud moment.

Janie Junebug said...

Congratulations to your daughter and to you: I know you must be quite the proud mama. I long to wander London for days or even months. What went on while you were gone? I got pregnant at age 59. It was on the cover of The National Enquirer. An alien spaceship dropped by Florida to scoop up Favorite Young Man. Don't know if I'll ever see him again.

Love,
Janie

Adam said...

We missed the gallery on our DC visit, we did go to the National Gallery of Art which is not a Smithsonian satellite. Still very cool she got in there

Sandra Cox said...

Indeed, True:)
Thank you:)

Sandra Cox said...

Same ole. Same ole. Hey? Heh. Heh.

Sandra Cox said...

Thank you, Adam. Good for you for going to the National Gallery of Art.

Magic Love Crow said...

Welcome home Sandra!
Wow, you must be so proud! I'm proud!! This is totally amazing!!
Congrats to your beautiful daughter! Amazing painting! I love the frame her husband made! So happy you liked London!!! Big Hugs!!!!

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks so much on all of the above, Stacy.
Hugs received and returned.

Lowcarb team member said...

A very warm welcome back.
So pleased you enjoyed London and how simply amazing to see your daughter's portrait in the National Portrait Gallery - you must be so very proud.

All the best Jan

Jeanie said...

Meghan's work has such soul. You can see deep into this woman's heart. That is such a gift and I know you are proud. I wonder if it will be in the National when we go in October? And welcome back to you!