Friday, May 27, 2016

Daddy, Tell Me a Story -Paint Party Friday

I posted this once before, back in 2009.  I have been so busy, I just haven't had time to do much art, so hence this post.

This Cloud Painting takes me back to when my children were small. Every night when we'd tuck them into their beds inevitably one of the kids would say, "Daddy, tell me a story..."
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My Beloved was a wonderful storyteller.  Over the years--since they were tiny babies--Alan would tell them fantastical bedtime stories about a mysterious Sea Captain. The Sea Captain became so real the kids once stopped a man in Oregon's coastal town of Lincoln City, to ask if HE was the Sea Captain.
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Each of the Sea Captain stories had a theme.

One evening the story he told was to teach the children to call upon God in times of trouble. The lights were were low. Alan lay on his back on the old waterbed, the girls perched on his outstretched arms. They were on a boat in the open sea.
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Suddenly a storm blew up out of nowhere! The wind was ferocious, the ship began to rock. I provided the "sound effects for the wind."

Alarmed the Sea Captain began to shout orders. Alan's up-flung arm became the mast, as our youngest daughter began to pull in the sails. On the other side, the eldest was ordered to "frappe" the boat as the waves of the sea grew higher and higher. Our young son, the official thundercloud, began to bounce up and down on Dad's feet. The lightning flashed! I flickered the overhead lights. And the thunder grew louder and louder!
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The boat began to bounce and rock dangerously from side to side! The thunder growled and the clouds grew darker and darker. I switched off the bedside lamp. It began to rain furiously. The deck was so slippery no one could walk without being swept out to sea! Giant waves were splashing clear up over the ship!
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"Nothing more can be done!" cried the Sea Captain. "What should we do?"
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But all that rocking had put one little sailor nearly to sleep. She opened one eye, and with a huge yawn she replied, "Call 911!"

Alan was a great Dad.  We all miss his stories and wonderful jokes.  Sunday afternoon, the kids and I sat around the fire pit playing music and sharing stories and laughter, as we often did when Alan was here.  We will miss Alan for the rest of our lives.  He was such a wonderful man.  He filled our world with color, laughter and song.  What a blessing for those precious memories.

Here are the original clouds I photographed for the cloud painting Daddy, Tell Me a Story.  God bless you, dear ones.  Have a lovely week and Happy Paint Party Friday!

10 comments:

Julene said...

The clouds and the story are very good! I didn't see you on the PPF list and I'm a bit slow this week at getting to it. I live in the "Valley" too! It was fun to notice your web site! Happy PPF!

Abigail Davidson said...

Wow! So inspiring how you turned the original photo into those faces! I always enjoy how you take everyday photos and create fantasy versions -- this is gorgeous!

DVArtist said...

Great story. I love love love this idea of cloud painting. Brilliant.

Linda Kunsman said...

Just beautiful Beth. I swore I saw this already...but even if I did it is worth seeing again and again. Happy weekend to you!

Cindy Dauer said...

Wonderful cloud painting! And very sweet story about your Sea Captain. :)

artbyjune said...

I loved this story! Great cloud illustration too.

Deann said...

I love your cloud art Beth and this one is amazing so beautiful. Have a wonderful week.

Fran said...

Oh Wow. What a touching story. I loved it.

Paper rainbow said...

Loved reading your story..and seeing your beautiful cloud painting.

Giggles said...

Oh Beth this is a wonderful story with a comical ending!! I am so glad you are keeping Alan spirit alive by speaking of him here!! Such a joy....with a little tear or two to hear of such a great dad! Stunning artwork...have you ever thought of writing these little stories down with these art pieces in a little book for your children and future grandchildren?

Hugs Giggles