12.18.2010

My family of artists

I've been thinking about my extended family recently because of the holidays and last week was the 21st anniversary of my mother's death (it made for a rather depressing holiday that year, let me tell you). But, on to positive thoughts! The one thing that most of my family have in common is a lot of us ended up becoming artists or architects. Here are some pictures I have of us creating and what we've made over the years. I'll start with my grandfather, who was a professional photographer.

Lance Johnson
Look at the size of that camera equipment he's carrying! Remember when? Well, I don't! Here's another of him probably doing a portrait, judging by the smile on his face. He ran a portrait studio in Anniston, AL before my uncle Jim took if over when he died (yep, another photographer).

Lance Johnson
And now for my parents, both artists of course. My dad made his living as an architect as does my brother, and my uncles, etc. I love this photo of my dad, especially the pipe!

Bert McIntosh
Did I also mention he invented the Apple Macintosh? Just kidding. Luckily, that question wasn't asked until I was in high school. Oops, did I just date myself there? I have a photo somewhere of my mom sitting at her loom but I can't find it. Here is one of her drawings for a wall tapestry she made.

Mona McIntosh
And remember that uncle I mentioned earlier. Here is some of his fine art photography which I love. I have a copy of this hanging in my house and I look at it every day.

Jim Johnson
Here's a picture I love, the next generation of artists. My daughter making abstract prints for her teachers when she was four.

I'd love to hear your stories about other artists in your family, it does seem to be a pattern, no?

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Kathryn,

My dad loves photography and a couple of years ago I bought him some watercolors to see if he could paint and was amazed at his first painting! My mom... not so much: )

Ellen Vesters said...

Hi Kathryn, oooh what a lovely post. I love family history. But, no artists here!

Jen said...

I does seem to run in the blood - love the photos of your family.

In mine, my father did some oil painting for a while and my mother is very good at sewing, knitting (even sculptural knitting and crochet) and she can draw quite well too. My uncle writes and I had a great grandmother who played the saxophone. Maybe I'll have to get a post together too someday ;-)

Kitty Kilian said...

Yes, lots of artists in my family! Or people who ought to be artists but do something dull for a living! Great pictures of your granddad..

kathrynclark said...

Love the stories, thanks for sharing everyone! Jen, I wish there was a photo of your great grandmother playing that sax, what a riot that would be!

elisa said...

kathryn, so inspiring! i shall have to follow suit. soon. lots of creatives in my family. will let you know. x

Victoria said...

Oh, you come from good stock! Love the wonderful photographs, and the drawing by your mother. (So sorry to hear that she passed so long ago. You must have been very young. The day after Christmas will be the 8th year anniversary of my father's passing.)

As for my family's artistic roots... well, my mother, grandmother and great grandmother all painted. (My mom unfortunately stopped after my father died, but she still works artistic magic in her garden.) My grandmother also did needle work, and my mother was a fabulous seamstress when we were growing up. My father and sister acted in the theatre for years, and my sister is now a professional singer/songwriter.

**EYE-SNACKS** said...

Hi Kathryn, love the story and the great pictures of your family!Thx for sharing.Your grandfather is so passioned with his bowl I love it!

Also my thx for your comment on my blog it meant a lot to me!

Lari Washburn said...

Beautiful Kathryn! You come by your art honestly, that's for sure. The photos you have are fabulous.

Lari Washburn said...

Oh, and that suit in the second photo of Lance...wow!

Sophie Truong said...

Great post & story.. you sure come with artistic genes.. my dad passed away 21 years ago too in 2010 :(
Still hard to believe, no?

Congrats on your upcoming show!

anastasia said...

i wish i could say the same of my family, but artists are pretty rare birds as far as i know. my mother does some needlework, and i have a great aunt who was a seamstress, and that's about it. however, i have a father who is a strong supporter of art, and who has given me the encouragement to become an artist; and at the end of the day i think that it's more important to have a strong push and the unshakable support from those we love most.

kathrynclark said...

Anastasia, it is so important to have support to be an artist. You're so lucky to have such a wonderful father. Hats off to him!

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