My brother surprised me with this pen and ink drawing in 1979 after we moved to Chicago from Hawaii many years ago. This drawing is of the sugar plantation house where we grew up. Actually we were born while in another house in Kunia. From Kunia we moved to another camp and then finally to Waipahu so we could be within walking distance to our elementary and high school.
I often told my children how Uncle Dennis and I had to walk miles and miles uphill in blinding snow to get to school because we loved it so much. No, not really, but it was probably a 45 minute walk or more if we got distracted along the way.
That huge tree up front was a mango tree. My mother used to iron all our clothes and hang them on that line on the porch. Dennis and I used to climb out the window onto the roof of that garage on the left and then onto the roof of the house to pick mangoes. We used to also climb onto a low branch of that 40 foot mango tree and climb to the very top. No, seriously. We did. How is it we didn't fall out of it I don't know since I'm now known to fall off of chairs.
I wish my brother would draw and paint again. He is so very extremely talented, but he won't. He prefers to play with Photoshop instead.
I'm just glad I have this artwork. I really treasure it. His sons were surprised to see it when we moved to Hawaii. I don't think they realized just how talented their father is. My brother is never one to focus attention on himself, so I guess it's up to me.
I'll have another piece he did tomorrow.
I often told my children how Uncle Dennis and I had to walk miles and miles uphill in blinding snow to get to school because we loved it so much. No, not really, but it was probably a 45 minute walk or more if we got distracted along the way.
That huge tree up front was a mango tree. My mother used to iron all our clothes and hang them on that line on the porch. Dennis and I used to climb out the window onto the roof of that garage on the left and then onto the roof of the house to pick mangoes. We used to also climb onto a low branch of that 40 foot mango tree and climb to the very top. No, seriously. We did. How is it we didn't fall out of it I don't know since I'm now known to fall off of chairs.
I wish my brother would draw and paint again. He is so very extremely talented, but he won't. He prefers to play with Photoshop instead.
I'm just glad I have this artwork. I really treasure it. His sons were surprised to see it when we moved to Hawaii. I don't think they realized just how talented their father is. My brother is never one to focus attention on himself, so I guess it's up to me.
I'll have another piece he did tomorrow.
I went to fine arts school and that's a nice drawing especially in non-erasable pen-and-ink. Yea, and a mango tree so full of memories. Oh, and the front door and hood of the truck, at that angle, hard to capture so well. Excellent perspective of the garage and left side of the house. Notice that the roof overhangs on the left and right are different perspective (vanishing points) since the vantage point is off from middle. Da mailbox, is that same mailbox you spray painted.
ReplyDeleteYour brother is a very talented artist, and what an exceptional gift. It's lovely!
ReplyDeleteYour brother is an extremely talented artist. I agree, he needs to be doing more drawings. Thank you for sharing your childhood memories.
ReplyDeleteWhat you say makes me think it was a good thing the great artists of the past did not have Photoshop to play with.
ReplyDeleteThe picture is wonderful.
Growing up in a 3rd floor apartment in Chicago I would have traded places with you. A mango tree to climb, a house on the earth, nature. (I know, I know, I'm only looking at the Hawaii paradise part of your story.)
The drawing really is very good, and I'm sure it is all the more important to you for what it represents.
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in Puerto Rico, I remember the vendors on the streets selling mangoes on a stick, and you could dip them in chili powder mixed with sugar. They were simply delicious, but now I cannot find a decent mango anywhere. I love the picture, too. Glad you have pictures of his pictures, which can be shared with the world!
ReplyDeletewow, your brother is really talented. That is a beautiful picture full of memories too. The frame goes so well with it, no detail is overlooked.
ReplyDeleteWhoa, I am soooo jealous... He is talented... Lucky you to have this drawing and something great to pass on to your children.
ReplyDeleteThat is VERY good drawing.
ReplyDeleteVery impressed.
what a talented artist, he's really good and the fact that all those things in the painting remind you of your life there is just a wonderful thing.Its a shame he doesn't continue, he really has the touch,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely treasure!! What a talent your brother is!!
ReplyDeleteDid he draw it from memory??? If so, it is doubly impressive. Beautiful work of art, Kay.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant .Awed by his art work .He should do more of it .
ReplyDeleteYou have yourself a priceless piece of art there.
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat drawing...really amazing. I'd love to climb on the roofs! (Not now...) My mom went to a painting class, and created two pics, and never wanted to paint again! They are great, but it was almost like she'd conquered the attempt, and that's all she wanted. DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteVery nice drawing, especially done by a loved one and the subject couldn't be dearer to your heart. Aww...people with talent are so fortunate, yet they don't want to use it? I'm guessing your brother has many other talents. OTOH, I've always wanted to be an artist but have no talent...
ReplyDeleteL.
A lovely drawing Kay and a fine memory. Gee, I thought it only snowed on Mauna Kea. Dianne
ReplyDeleteOf course this looks idyllic to me, but it also reminds me of the house where I grew up. My brother Clint and I used to climb trees. All the kids in the neighborhood did, and most of them were fruit trees, although nothing as exotic as a mango trees.
ReplyDeleteOur young brother is an artist, so I can appreciate the talent Dennis possesses. As others have said, pen-and-ink is an unforgiving medium.
Looking forward to more.
— K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
I've been nagging him for years to start drawing again. Maybe the two of us together can convince him to pick it back up before his eyes go bad. (cause you know that will be one reason for his procrastination)
ReplyDeleteMaybe one day I, too, will possess a piece of art worthy of hanging in our home. Something to pass down to the boys.
Thanks again for sharing Kay!
He is talented...I wish I could do that...
ReplyDeleteYour brother is very talented. I think it is especially cool that he captured the precious memories you have of this place so well.
ReplyDeleteMy siblings and my mother are all very talented artists as well. I am not. I wish I had their talent. I agree with you. I wish they, and your brother, would keep using the talent they were given.
That is a very nice piece of work. So many houses here still look just like that, too.
ReplyDeleteThat drawing is indeed a work of art! I love it! And it is a treasure too, because of the memories it evokes and because your brother created it.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Maybe he will draw and paint again one day, when Photoshop loses its immediate pull;-)
ReplyDeleteYour brother is really talented! I've enjoyed both of these sketches very much.
ReplyDeleteI remember that house, but I was pretty small at the time. I do have a fonder memory that I always associated with that house; of the avocados that used to come from your family to ours, those were SO CREAMY, they are the very first memories I have of any avocados and of course they set the standard by which I always judge avocados, even to this day. When my mom told me your family had moved, I was so sad because I knew there would be no more avocados.
ReplyDeleteDennis is much like his dad, whom I have very fond memories of. Your dad was undeniably the smiliest guy I ever knew. I cannot remember a time when he wasn't smiling. Dennis is nudging those memories, though, every time I see him he's doing the same thing as his dad used to.
walt
Kay, I hope you have all these drawing on a wall, because your brother is incredibly talented. I love all three of them. I sure wish I could draw, my husband says every one can, I don't agree with this. I liked your story about your adventure on the roof with your brother. Reminds me of when I was young and I would climb on our neighbors roof and eat cherry's.
ReplyDeleteKay;
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful, Dennis is a wonderful artist. Funny now that I think of it, my brother draws and used to paint too. Not in a long time though.
Thanks for bringing up a nice memory for me.
what cool drawings, had to look back at earlier posts now that I'm home and somewhat rested...but still in jet lag. lol!
ReplyDeleteWow Dennis is incredibly talented - the detail is amazing and thank goodness he captured these wonderful memories. I really hope he has a go at it again - the talent never fades.
ReplyDelete