The Painting
One of the highlights of my
trip was a day in Oklahoma with Juanita and her family. Juanita had become a special friend. She
wrote often, sending stories about growing up in Texas and of her farm in
Oklahoma. A very talented artist, she
wrote about her paintings, teaching art classes, and of taking art classes
while working in San Diego during WWII. On my day in Oklahoma, I met
Juanita’s younger siblings, her children, and some of her grandchildren. I took
pictures of the side-by-side that once belonged to my grandmother and left with an oil painting of my grandmother; a gift from Juanita. This
beautiful portrait of Myrtie Hairston Bryan hangs in my home and serves as a
constant reminder of my once forgotten family.
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| This a portrait of my grandmother in her wedding dress. I have two photographs of her wearing this dress. Scraps of the dress fabric as well as the trim were found in the family bible. A description of Myrtie's coloring was found on the back of an old photograph. Juanita used the photographs and fabric scraps to help with the portrait. The curtains in the background were similar to those in Juanita's home. She stated that she added the table and flowers for balance. |
Next, Part VII - The Unnamed
Diana
© 2011, copyright Diana Quinn
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