Free Talent

Today I was tempted to write about something kind of serious. Something important. I have found myself being confronted with the topic at least weekly, and often several times each week. But I'm not ready, I think. Besides, today I'm supposed to recommend a book, movie, or song. I've only done that twice since I said I would do this on Fridays. Well, I'm not going to recommend anything again today. However, I will stay in the arts.

My aunt came down from Duluth to visit my mother. That happened to be the day my mother was discharged from the hospital. (She is doing well, by the way. I spoke with her last night and we will be visiting her on Sunday.) She brought along a small bin filled with photo albums, manilla envelopes filled with photos, and other historic memorabilia.

I have looked at everything at least once, and there are some interesting things. One thing I found was a painting my grandmother did back in 1932. That's the year indicated by a stamp on the back. There is also an identification which states my grandmother's name, Sandstone, Minn, and a code: Mem-no.-Z-67. Apparently, the painting had been submitted for something.

My grandmother wrote stories all the time. Some of her works were published (for free) in magazines and newspapers. It's incredible, but I had forgotten about her love of painting. How could I do this? Her house had been filled with works she had done. She would also "colorize" photographs.

I don't know how to judge art, so I cannot say whether Grandma was good or not. I know I always recognized the subjects of her paintings, so in that regard she was successful. And most of them were pleasing to look at. Mostly, that was because her favorite subject to paint was landscapes. I like landscapes. They're my favorite kind of painting.

The particular work I have is roughly eight inches by six inches, painted on cardboard (not corrugated). I'm guessing watercolors. It's an unsigned work. If I recall correctly, Grandma seldom signed her work. At least her older work. She would have been twenty-six, or younger, when she painted this. My mother would have been about five years old.

The painting is suffering from mistreatment. All of the corners are bent, and the upper left is bent several times. The cardboard is beginning to curl. I like it, and I would like to make sure it is preserved. I'm not sure what to do, though. Or where to go to find out.

Do any of you know anything about preserving old artwork? Again, this appears to be a watercolor on thick paper. Practically cardboard. And whether you know or not, here is a scan of the work. Grandma didn't title it, so I'm calling it, "Tree in Blossom."