Tuesday 22 December 2015

"DAD"

"DAD"

It's been a while since I last played with my pencils, January last year to be precise. but I felt the sudden urge to dust them off and tackle a portrait of my father who we lost last year. Dad has figured in my blog many times over the years. He was a keen woodworker who, although he lacked precision woodworking skills, nevertheless managed to "knock together" some fine pieces. My garden still holds a Gazebo, wooden bench, pair of wooden chairs with matching table, a dovecote, a small log cabin, a decorative wheelbarrow planter, a Train planter and numerous bird tables and nesting boxes. Most of them have been posted here at one time or another. His last piece (made in his 95th year) was a Dolls house mackled together from bits of old plywood, and it came complete with items of furniture fashioned from off-cuts of which there was always plenty strewn around his shed floor. He was extremely pleased with the Dolls house and wanted to give it to a local nursery or play group but it really wasn't good enough for that .... too many unfinished edges and dangerous corners for it to be safe for little people to play with. To ease his disappointment I told him I'd love to have it in my garden as a feature amongst my plants and he seemed to like the idea, so it has stood proudly in one of my flower beds for the last 2/3 years.


I'll be coming back to the Dolls House and it's contents in a future post. In the meantime I knocked out this small pen sketch by way of saying "Merry Christmas" to all my followers.


You're comments and encouragement are very important to me and I can't tell you how much I appreciate your continued support.


Merry Christmas one and all.

12 comments:

  1. John, you have really outdone yourself with this wonderful portrait of 'Dad'.
    I've seen photos of your dad on your blog and in the forum and the resemblance is right on...
    Fantastic work!!
    Barbra Joan

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    1. Thank you very much BJ, I really appreciate that. ;-)

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  2. What a wonderful portrait, John! I love Doll's houses and would love to hear more about the one your Dad made. Years ago I made a garage for my son, and I am secretly hoping for a granddaughter one day. Merry Christmas to you!

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    1. The Dolls House is far from good Judy but I'll tell you more soon. Thank you for your lovely comment. ;-)

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  3. What a beautiful post and amazing portrait John! I can't believe how much you look like your Dad. This will a tough Christmas without him.... I lost my Dad a few years back and it never gets better but the memories we have of them keeps us going. I hope to see the Dolls house soon! Love your pen sketch...you haven't lost your touch!! It's beautiful.
    Merry Christmas and a healthy New Year!

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    1. Soon after I'd started the drawing, as the initial features were beginning to take shape, I said to my wife "This is feeling very much like a self-portrait", and it was. It was a strange feeling. Thank you very much Hilda.

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  4. Hi John.
    As Hilda said, you haven`t lost your touch. The Portrait of your dad and the pen Sketch is fantastic. you are a master at drawing mate.All the best John and have a lovely Christmas with your Family.
    Vic.

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    1. You're very kind Vic, thank you very much. All the best for Christmas and the New Year.

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  5. Wonderful post.
    Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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  6. Wow what a fabulous drawing John! Really stunning! Merry Christmas to you :0)

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    1. Thank you very much Sandra and Happy New Year to you. ;-)

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