Left Of Center

A Sofa Painting from my childhood

I have a large sofa painting that hung in my home as a child. My mother’s taste quickly outgrew it, as she turned to a more Victorian flare I kept to a love of earth tones. So by the time I turned fifteen this canvas found its way to my room.  Now days I am many miles from that childhood address but that still-life painting is even now suspended in my living room.

Large white cloud's frame in the horizon with bits of blue splashed about.  A mighty trunk of tree leaps into focus her skirting so tall it blows right through the frame.  This mighty tree is spooned next to a small pond; that rest in a clearing the two are the perfect pairing the little pond feeds the tree, and the mighty oak gives a blessed shelter.  

In the far distance, there is a snow-capped mountain, but what is a painting without one? The base of it grandeur is blocked by the neighboring forest and to my liking; it is shaded in warm muted tones of the earth.  

Just left of center is a small one-room shack I have gazed at this simple hovel my entire life and dreamed up the perfect person that must have lived there. A trapper perhaps lived there, a missionary to wild Indians, the three little pigs; perhaps.  Yet with all my wondering I have decided that my imagination may have been born in that little hut and grew by its fireside late at night listening to the night wind walk through her trees.  

 

Reviews

[Laughing-Bear]

My Dearest Writing Friend,
This write brought back memories from the shadows of my mind. I too grew up for many years with a painting. It was in the woods, almost dusk, a small cabin cast light into the dimming night that was descending on the forest. I used to say I’ll have a place like that some day!
I always wondered who lived in that cabin, was this painting taken from a picture? I did not know, but to me it was very real. Later in years when parents went their separate ways the oil painting was sold. A few years ago I tracked down the owner of that painting and asked them if they would consider sending me a picture of their painting. I now own a picture, but it as real to me as that painting.
And the inspired trip this painting sent me off on eventually gave me my own cabin in the woods. Who would of ever thought what an inspiration a painting could have on a soul.
I loved this work, thank you for the memories it brought out of the shadows.

Blessings, Laughing-Bear

[Cherrie]

we lived in a log cabin for a few years in the woods by Tenkiller Lake. It was after all our kids grew-up We moved into a two room fishing cabin. After twenty years in the city(most of which we spent in law enforcement) we loved our little cabin in the woods. We sold it to buy our cattle ranch, sometimes I wish we would have stayed in my own little picture just a little left of center.

[Samuel Dickens]

It's marvelous that you remember the painting this way. Art has a way of inspiring our imaginations and taking us to far off places and times.

[Lady B]

Fine...fine...fine works a lasting write

[Lady B]

Loved the write! It goes deep and can be felt very moving!

[Cherrie]

thank you very much for the review I hope to return the favor soon :)

[SHEEMA HUQ]

I like the way so much contemplation and imagination has derived, in nostalgic form from an old wall hanging, nicely penned, well done

[Jack Dawkins]

I have to tell you that it is quite possible that it is me living in that one room shack just left of centre. Ever since I read Sonny Brewers book about Henry Stuart; 'The Poet of Tolstoy Park', I have dreamed of leaving everything behind and living a solitary life in the woods, Thoreau-like existence, in touch and in tune with nature.

Living on a cattle ranch sounds pretty damn ideal also as long as there are horses.

[Tony]

I too have wondered often about this old stead or that.. your contemplation of a place is very good with coffee, Thanks. :]s

also.. as a little joke.. i just can't hold back the comedian..
you forgot someone when you were describing the past residents, someone might have had a meth lab in there....

well, it's sorta funny.... :]s

[Ed Hart]

it may be antique road show time