Thursday, April 7, 2011

Summer breeze



My mother used to hang laundry outdoors on a clothesline in our back yard.  We lived on the Texas coastal  plains, so we had coastal breezes every day in the summer.  Sometimes a summer shower would come up, and we'd run outdoors to gather in the clothes before they got wet.  Nothing smells fresher than sheets that have been dried outdoors.

On the downside, every single stitch I owned had to be ironed.  The clothes smelled good, but I didn't enjoy ironing.  I had to sprinkle the clothes with water so that they'd be damp and then iron them dry.    It was the only way to get all the wrinkles out.   Nowadays I enjoy having a drier and not having to iron!

I painted this for the April challenge on Daily Painters International.  The theme is The Wind.  The artist can choose any subject that evokes wind.  I decided on this scene of clothes drying in the breeze.

8 inch by 8 inch oil on canvas panel
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22 comments:

  1. hmuxoApril 7, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    I love the colors of the clothes hanging on the line Virginia. It brings back a lot of wonderful memories of my Mom hanging our clothes..yes, the fresh air smell will always stay with me as well. Beautifully done!

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  2. Nan JohnsonApril 7, 2011 at 4:46 PM

    My mother hung our clothes outside also, and I remember that wonderful smell still! But you're right, everything had to be ironed! Great painting that brings up great memories, thanks!

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  3. Linda PoppleApril 7, 2011 at 4:48 PM

    Perfect for "Wind." Very creative and I like your perspective of the laundry hanging in the breeze. I hate ironing, too, and only do it when there is NO other alternative - in other words. rarely! :)

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  4. Kathy CousartApril 7, 2011 at 6:41 PM

    Wonderful fun sun-filled composition! Really like all the gorgeous colors- great job on all the folds and highlights. Sky is perfect!

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  5. Virginia FloydApril 7, 2011 at 8:02 PM

    Thank you Hilda for visiting and commenting.

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  6. Virginia FloydApril 7, 2011 at 8:02 PM

    Thank you Nan. Yep, I don't miss the ironing.

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  7. Virginia FloydApril 8, 2011 at 5:57 AM

    Thanks, Linda. I enjoy the various challenges. You are the first one who gave me the courage to try them.

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  8. Virginia FloydApril 8, 2011 at 5:57 AM

    Hi Kathy. Thanks for the encouragement!

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  9. Lori BonanniApril 8, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    Great colors! I can smell the scent of clothing hung on the line!

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  10. Stephanie BerryApril 8, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    This one will bring back memories for so many of us. We'd even hang out clothes in the winter and they would freeze stiff but still dry! Love it!

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  11. TempyApril 9, 2011 at 8:48 AM

    I like the movement in this one. Fun!

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  12. Sandy Graeser HaynesApril 10, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    Virginia... you are such a dear ! I don't even know you, but I love ya !!! thanks for all the sweet comments on my blog... hope to someday meet you !

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  13. SYLVIANEApril 10, 2011 at 10:13 PM

    Hanging clothes are always a loved subject, it sends you to your childhood, and is symbolic, I suppose.
    Very good painting, Virginia!I like your spring green!

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  14. Virginia FloydApril 11, 2011 at 5:53 AM

    Gosh, thanks, Sandy. I really admire your faithfulness in painting and posting every day!

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  15. JaniceApril 11, 2011 at 6:24 AM

    very lovely, and how nice to associate the memory!

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  16. Carrie Waller WatercolorsApril 11, 2011 at 9:30 AM

    Virginia, I have been meaning to get over here and comment on this painting. I have been admiring this one since you posted it. I just love it!!! Takes me back to my Grandma's and memories of traveling and living in Europe, where they still hang their laundry. It is just beautiful and I love the emotion it evokes:)

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  17. les peintures de VivianeApril 11, 2011 at 9:53 AM

    Superbe ton tableau ! j'aime beaucoup les couleurs.

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  18. Virginia FloydApril 11, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    Thanks Carrie and Viviane for visiting and commenting.

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  19. cath carboneApril 11, 2011 at 11:22 PM

    J AIME VOTRE TOILE CAR LA COULEUR BALANCE AVEC LE MOUVEMENT !

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  20. padmajaApril 12, 2011 at 12:48 AM

    We do it all the time in India and it is very interesting to see a similar scene so far away! Virginia,I loved the shapes and the colors used and it gives out a kind of movement that is typical for a windy day..visited here for the first time and enjoyed your work!

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  21. Nancy B. HartleyApril 22, 2011 at 10:25 PM

    Virginia, I love this piece, and have the same memories of my mother hanging laundry on the line.
    Such a nostalgic painting! Beauatiful work , and beautiful memories!

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  22. Nancy B. HartleyMay 7, 2011 at 10:15 AM

    Virginia, I love this! Beautiful colors! My grandmother hung her clothes out on the line. Brings back happy memories!

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