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Today I scanned the last of the Christmas 1985 negatives, and here present a selection.
When you lunched at Mum’s you not only fought your way through a massive roast meal, but later, you were expected to consume a plentiful afternoon tea. Jessica must have taken this photograph of Grandma, Mum, Louisa, and me seated at the table.
It looks as if Jessica swapped places with me.
Having entertained Sam with Hoopla, Dad spent some time playing with Louisa on the sofa. It looks as if there was a certain amount of competition as to who would fall asleep first. Mum will have made the knitted doll.
My father’s reward for his exertions seems to have been to have his daughter-in-law read him a story;
after which Jessica found time for contemplation.
Sam, however, continued to daydream about another game with his grandfather.
Joseph was well ahead of the current fashion for young men to wear full beards.
There were two more photos of Dad,
one of which I used as a model for a pastel portrait for my mother, the Christmas after he died. The story of how he helped me is told in ‘Would You Believe It?’.
Auntie Gwen was also the subject of a portrait. This time in pen and ink for a magazine illustration.
This is how I adapted the photograph.
This evening we dined at Daniels Fish Restaurant in Highcliffe. With her chips Jackie chose scampi; my choice was haddock. We both had mushy peas. Jackie drank coffee, and I drank tea.
Wow! These pictures contain an entire life. Those who have no memories lived in vain. And you have a lot of, Derrick 🙂
xo <3
Very many thanks, Monica. X
xo <3
Some really good photos, and I take it these did not need restoration.
I so admire people who can draw and paint like that. For me, even a straight line is a challenge.
Very many thanks, Leslie. Just a little retouching was required on some.
I really admire your pastel portrait of your dad Derrick!
Yes, I love that, as well.
Thank you, both
Many thanks, Pauline
I agree. The two photos have been changed into pictures extremely well.
Thanks very much, John
The pastel is really a nice piece of work Derrick. The photos are a nice way to look back, too. I particularly like trying to pinpoint a time by hair/clothes/kitchens. Of course, you’ve told us it was 1985, so there’s no need to guess.
Thank you, Lisa. Especially for the pastel. Sometimes with the negatives, I do have to work it out myself.
What? You are an artist, as well? How fortunate for you–and good for us! I just dabble in this and that with visual art, but your portraiture is excellent. I also always enjoy how informal your photos are–you have an obliging family and/or you have a knack for finding that quick moment to sneak an image!
Thanks a lot, Cynthia. The long lens helps, because it’s not so much in people’s faces.
How wonderful to have so many photos (and artwork) of your family. So good to look back on, especially for the grandchildren.
Many thanks, Vicki. Little did I know then that the whole world would be clicking away ad infinitum
Lovely post, Derrick. I got lost clicking on the links and going back in your blogging history. Always something to learn!
Thank you very much, Jodie. I’m glad you persevered
Love the pastel, and especially the pen and ink….
Many thanks, Cynthia
Wow! The pastel portrait is fabulous, Derrick. I also love the second photograph with Sam’s rosy cheeks. 🙂
Many thanks, Jill
Ditto, ditto, to everyone’s comments. Wonderful memories for you.
Thanks very much, Laurie
Always amazing to see photos from the past. Great post.
Thanks a lot, Alex
What a lovely post Derrick, thanks for sharing your happy memories. And loved the sketches, very special.
Many thanks, Miriam
1985 Full beards; Ahead of fashion? I was required to shave mine off in 1975; else look for another woman! My wife did not like or approve of beards, she thought that the wearer had something to hide. Gained a wife, lost a beard and sometimes I wonder…………………… 👿
🙂 Thanks, Brian. I did the opposite in 1970 – had a row with Jackie, who had persuaded me to become hirsute, and shaved mine off 🙂
Looking at your photographs,looking at your drawings, reading your blogs, I’ve come to the conclusion that you are a very talented, artistic man. I admire your work very much indeed.
A great many thanks, Brian
I’ll second that. What a multi-faceted personality. Although, Lord Beari, do you suppose he was clinging to that long haired look just a trifle too long into the eighties 🙂 ? And I suspect I met Joseph living as a recluse in the Lake District around 1980 – or at least his twin brother. I love these slices of family life. And another thing I love, is that the children are always dressed in comfortable kid friendly clothing. It’s such a different story today, with even very young children being dressed as fashionistas. I fondly remember the corduroy overalls my auntie used to run up for my little boy from about six months on. And I think the pencil of Aunty Gwen is amazing. Of course . . . I could be biased.
Very many thanks, Gwen. I suspect you may be right about the hair. 🙂
Oh, I agree so much!
Many thanks, Jodie
Love the photos and the artwork! Well done.
Very many thanks, Victo
Wonderful memories for you, Derrick. I didn’t know you are such a talented artist. I did not get the visual art gene that some of my family members have. I went back and read the story of you creating the pastel of your father. Spooky and intriguing!
Many thanks, Merril. Had we had the money I would have liked to go to Art school with the object of learning book illustration. That pastel was a pretty uncanny experience.
Yes, indeed.
You can still take art classes (not necessarily for a degree), if they are offered in your area and if you still have the interest.
That’s long gone, Merril. You know how my creativity is now expressed.I occasionally pick up a pencil, and when I lived near London’s Portobello Road, I joined a life drawing group. Thanks for the thought, though
Thanks for sharing these. I am sure they bring back some cherished memories.
They do, Jarrod. Thank you.
Saved photos are forever memories!
They are. Thank you GP
I did laugh when you described dining at your mother’s house …. they were a generation of feeders – I always feel the war and the deprivation and rationing that entailed shaped their need to show love through plenty of nosh. The pictures are lovely but I must comment mostly on your pastel and the pen and ink …. both wonderful studies – you are indeed a very talented man.
Very many thanks, Osyth. We certainly didn’t eat like that in the 1940s. Thanks especially for the compliments.
My mother is 84 and younger than her eldest sibling by 13 years. My grandmother I suppose would have been 120 next February …. I remember her wonderful tables of food and my mother though these days less so is still what her grandchildren regard fondly as ‘the feeder’. The compliments are quite simply deserved!
My Mum is 94. When I was born in 1942 she was not yet 20. Thanks again
Great art work nice detail.
Many thanks, Kim
Love seeing your art Derrick – both are beautiful. We don’t see your work enough. Very comforting to see the family gathered round the table, happy memories.
Many thanks, Mary. I’ve only ever done two pastel portraits. 🙂 Other drawings have occasionally appeared on posts
Thank you, Derrick for sharing your beautiful memories! Wonderful stories behind these precious photos. 🙂
Many thanks, Amy