Sometimes art is birthed from necessity.

Art often flows from joy, love, fear, or desire. It may even be driven by what is popular or would generate attention. But then, there are those images that exist inside and beg, even demand, to be shown. "Roberta" was necessary for me to create.

Roberta. 2016. Watercolor on paper — Roberta. 2016. Watercolor on paper

My Grandmother ... I lack the words to describe her. Warm, insightful, and safe; she often sat at her window, admiring everything that fell under her gaze. She delighted in the robins and roses, and she laughed at the hummingbirds and hailstorms. And how her smile would envelope you when you walked through the door! There are many photos of her, but none that capture what I most remember: her beaming at the window, warmed from the quilt in her lap and the love in her heart.

And so, I had to create.

I began by trolling my family's social media for photographs. I envisioned finding a soft profile of her face, with a hint of a grin. After hours of searching without success, I reluctantly decided to rethink the pose. And only then I saw this again.

We have all seen that look. Utter satisfaction.

We have all been recipients of that gaze. In those moments, we know that we are completely loved. Wait, you were her favorite too?

Once I begin a painting, I'm hopeless. Like being pulled into a good novel, I can't rest until I am finished. After playing with composition on thumbnail sketches, and mirroring the portrait in photoshop for easy reference, I dove into the painting. A video of the painting process is on instagram (annafloydart)

Grandberta absolutely had to be wrapped in a quilt - she hand-quilted one for each of her 22 grandchildren, and then some! I couldn't choose ONE person's quilt design, so I made one up. My sister-in-law sat in front of a light wrapped in a red quilt for reference.

Christmas: The best part of this journey was being able to physically give this memory away. For as long as I can remember, my grandmother would sit beside my grandfather to give out gifts on Christmas morning. This year, this portrait sat beside him.

In my opinion, there is nothing that compares to hearing “you captured her.” Or, in the words of my practical grandfather: “Find a safe place for this, where everyone can see it.”

I missed my Grandberta’s deep warbly voice and warm arms so much this Christmas, but I am so thankful for the memories, and for the gift of ART that brings those memories home.

Creativity carries a power unlike anything else. A song, a photograph, or even a savory dish could have evoked similar memories. I challenge you - create. Share what is inside of you.

To bring a memory home

Sometimes art is birthed from necessity.