I was off today, so Mitchell and I popped into St. David's Next-to-New to see what was new. Lots of great things, including about a half-dozen French Provincial bureaus, some new dishes...and the Pattersons!
I love found portraits and I enjoy being able to rescue what was once someone treasured family portrait from the discard pile. It's unclear to me who could have gotten rid of this?!
The painting, I think it is watercolor and ink wash, is HUGE.
There are four kids in this family, surely one of them had a child to pass on this strangely, delightful painting. Since there is no name on the back or signature on the front, we went about the process of renaming all of the family members, in the tradition of Juan Carlos.
The father, who I think may have created this portrait, is Stanley Patterson, Jr. and his wife is Mildred Patterson, née Murphy, but goes by Maud. They have been married for sixteen and a half years. Stan works in middle management at a large insurance company, but dabbles in art. Maud is, of course, a housewife and gave up her career as a very successful endocrinologist to raise a family, after putting herself through medical school. She drinks a lot. In her lucid moments she is involved in the PTA, Girl Scouts, her church charities and other activities.
The oldest daughter, a cheerleader and obviously popular (I mean, she's blond and has a fairly nice chest.) is named Sandra Patterson, but goes by Sandy. Her boyfriend is, of course, captain of the football team. She is a sixteen year-old sophomore dating a senior, the envy of all her many, many friends. She plans to go to State, study home economics and pledge Delta Gamma. Beyond that, it's all golden.
The son is Stanly Patterson, III and goes by Trip. Why not? He is the only boy. He is well liked and president of the science club. He's a little quiet and keeps to himself.
The second daughter is named Josephine Patterson, after her paternal grandmother, a very cultured lady from a main-line Boston background. Her namesake, who insists on being called Joe (with an 'e') is not so cultured and had to be bribed to put on the dress while posing for this portrait. While the rest of the family is pleasantly pasty, Joe has the dark skin of a tomboy who spends all her time outdoors.
The youngest and most precious of the Pattersons is Charlotte, called Carlotta by her grandmother. The rest of the family affectionately calls her Sister, Sis or Sissy depending on the inflection and intention. Poor Charlotte didn't even know her name WAS Charlotte until she started first grade! She likes dolls. When her mother is 'napping' in the afternoon, Charlotte gets into her makeup and clothes.
Maud has a wicked sense of humor and named the family pets, both bitches, Debbie (on the left) and Liz.
More on the Pattersons later.
I love found portraits and I enjoy being able to rescue what was once someone treasured family portrait from the discard pile. It's unclear to me who could have gotten rid of this?!
The painting, I think it is watercolor and ink wash, is HUGE.There are four kids in this family, surely one of them had a child to pass on this strangely, delightful painting. Since there is no name on the back or signature on the front, we went about the process of renaming all of the family members, in the tradition of Juan Carlos.
The father, who I think may have created this portrait, is Stanley Patterson, Jr. and his wife is Mildred Patterson, née Murphy, but goes by Maud. They have been married for sixteen and a half years. Stan works in middle management at a large insurance company, but dabbles in art. Maud is, of course, a housewife and gave up her career as a very successful endocrinologist to raise a family, after putting herself through medical school. She drinks a lot. In her lucid moments she is involved in the PTA, Girl Scouts, her church charities and other activities.
The oldest daughter, a cheerleader and obviously popular (I mean, she's blond and has a fairly nice chest.) is named Sandra Patterson, but goes by Sandy. Her boyfriend is, of course, captain of the football team. She is a sixteen year-old sophomore dating a senior, the envy of all her many, many friends. She plans to go to State, study home economics and pledge Delta Gamma. Beyond that, it's all golden.
The son is Stanly Patterson, III and goes by Trip. Why not? He is the only boy. He is well liked and president of the science club. He's a little quiet and keeps to himself.
The second daughter is named Josephine Patterson, after her paternal grandmother, a very cultured lady from a main-line Boston background. Her namesake, who insists on being called Joe (with an 'e') is not so cultured and had to be bribed to put on the dress while posing for this portrait. While the rest of the family is pleasantly pasty, Joe has the dark skin of a tomboy who spends all her time outdoors.
The youngest and most precious of the Pattersons is Charlotte, called Carlotta by her grandmother. The rest of the family affectionately calls her Sister, Sis or Sissy depending on the inflection and intention. Poor Charlotte didn't even know her name WAS Charlotte until she started first grade! She likes dolls. When her mother is 'napping' in the afternoon, Charlotte gets into her makeup and clothes.
Maud has a wicked sense of humor and named the family pets, both bitches, Debbie (on the left) and Liz.More on the Pattersons later.