Memorial Day

I was home on Memorial Day and decided to check out the local events to honor the veterans here in Holbrook. The ceremony was held at the Holbrook Vietnam Memorial. The parade started on Main Street at 11:00 and ended at the memorial. I sat and sketched the memorial before the marchers arrived. It was decorated with floral arrangements. 

Finally I could hear music and the marchers came into sight. I decided to sketch a little of everything...the police officers with the American flag, a bagpiper, and a family watching the parade. It was nice to experience this with other people from my area...just honoring those that gave so much.

Irises and Poppy

On Sunday I stopped to visit a friend to see how her addition to her kitchen was coming along. While I was there I did a quick sketch of some of her irises and one of her pretty red poppies...so appropriate for Memorial Day today. This was done directly in watercolors.

Bellport House

Like I said, last weekend was a busy art weekend for me. Friday the South Bay Art Association had our 60th Annual Members Show reception in Bellport.  It was very nice and we had a good turnout.

Here is a photo of me with one of my paintings.

Below is a photo of all the members of the organization that were at the reception.

This photo is of all the members who participated in the show.

On Sunday I had to sit the show for a while and then at 5 we picked up our paintings. I had about 1 1/2 hrs to do something...so I did a painting of the house next to the community center where the show had been held. I'm glad they had a patriotic flag hanging for Memorial Day.

Poppy Parade & Remembering Our Heroes

This is being shared in memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us. How appropriate that I had a poppy painting to share.  Happy Memorial Day!

This was done in my friend, Susan's garden recently.

Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade

For the last few years I have tried to attend one of the Memorial Day Ceremonies here on Long Island. I missed the one in Sayville which I usually attend since I slept late, so instead I went to Patchogue. I sat in the park by the VFW Hall which I knew was the end of the parade, and caught some of the participants as the beginning of the parade arrived. I was there sketching long enough for most of the ceremony. It was a touching tribute to those who gave their lives, those who served, and the families and friends of those who are still serving.

EDM - May 25 - an apron

Remembering

This weekend we are celebrating Memorial Day, a time we honor the men and woman who have died in service to our country. One of my art associations, the Wet Paints Studio Group had our members show this weekend. Included in the show was a section devoted to paintings that honor those who served or paintings that show patriotism. I knew exactly what I wanted to paint.

My father-in-law served in Europe during World War II in the Air Force. He has a shadowbox containing a photo of himself being awarded a medal and two different medals as well as his battalion insignia. I borrowed them, took them out of the box and rearranged them to create a painting. The title of this is "Honored" and it is 8 x 10.

I am behind in posting my EDM sketches. Here they are.

May 21 - where I sit to read

May 22 - something attached to my wall

May 23 - interesting detail to a building

May 24 - some keys

Honoring Those Who Sacrificed

Today is Memorial Day here in the USA. For many it is a holiday with bbqs, or a day of shopping for that big sale, of just a day off from work. Many people forget that the day actually honors those who gave their lives in service to our country.

I planned to head to Sayville which usually has a lovely memorial service in Sparrow Park on Main Street. I checked the internet to find out what time I needed to be there and it said 11:00...but they were wrong. The service at the park was already over when I arrived, and I just barely caught the tail end of the service in front of the Sayville Fire Department. I sketched two members of the color guard in front of the property as well as the memorial wreath.

When the service was over I went over to the memorial in Sparrow Park and sketched that too.

My gratitude to those who fought for our rights and freedom, 

especially those who gave their lives for us.