This really bothers me, and I know its stupid but I can't help it. My grandfather (passed away 2004) was a very talented painter. He only painted for pleasure but he was VERY good. When I was growing up I remember him painting a fall scene of a local bridge and fell in love with it, so for my high school graduation he painted another one just for me. I was the first person he ever actually painted a painting for. After that, it became a tradition and he painted a picture of each of the other grandkids graduation or for wedding presents (some graduated before me). After granddad passed away, his paintings were distributed among the kids and grandkids (he had about 10 hanging around the house)
That painting is now haning above our fireplace mantel and looks beautiful. The funny thing is, Memorial day we had friends over for a cookout, and they said they saw a painting just like it in an art store downtown selling for $150.00. They said it was labled "from a local artist" but couldn't remember the name. As soon as I said my granddad's name, they said "That's it!". They were amazed after I told them it was my grandfather and showed them another picture I had from him that went to my mother.
Now, this means one of my aunts or cousins didn't care enough about my grandfather to keep this. And that REALLY bothers me. Especially since they are selling it in granddad's home town. They all live away from here, so why couldn't they try to sell it in their OWN town so I didn't have to know. I just feel like they are betraying him, or cheapening his work, which is stupid I know. I know you can't keep everything and lord knows I got rid of a lot of my parents' stuff but this isn't like getting rid of his favorite chair or something...this is something he created from his heart and can never be replaced. I've been tempted to call my aunt who handled his estate and ask who got that painting but I figure that would be opening up a can of worms.
It just makes me sad. If they didn't want it, why didn't they offer it to someone else in the family instead of selling it for a buck? I actually think my friends are going to go back and buy it and I'm glad. They appreciated it when they saw it, and now that they know who painted it, it means something to them.
Anyway, I just had to vent. Sorry this is so long.
BTW, here's a pic of his painting. The pic is pretty bad (cheap digital camera) but the painting is awesome in person!
That painting is now haning above our fireplace mantel and looks beautiful. The funny thing is, Memorial day we had friends over for a cookout, and they said they saw a painting just like it in an art store downtown selling for $150.00. They said it was labled "from a local artist" but couldn't remember the name. As soon as I said my granddad's name, they said "That's it!". They were amazed after I told them it was my grandfather and showed them another picture I had from him that went to my mother.
Now, this means one of my aunts or cousins didn't care enough about my grandfather to keep this. And that REALLY bothers me. Especially since they are selling it in granddad's home town. They all live away from here, so why couldn't they try to sell it in their OWN town so I didn't have to know. I just feel like they are betraying him, or cheapening his work, which is stupid I know. I know you can't keep everything and lord knows I got rid of a lot of my parents' stuff but this isn't like getting rid of his favorite chair or something...this is something he created from his heart and can never be replaced. I've been tempted to call my aunt who handled his estate and ask who got that painting but I figure that would be opening up a can of worms.
It just makes me sad. If they didn't want it, why didn't they offer it to someone else in the family instead of selling it for a buck? I actually think my friends are going to go back and buy it and I'm glad. They appreciated it when they saw it, and now that they know who painted it, it means something to them.
Anyway, I just had to vent. Sorry this is so long.
BTW, here's a pic of his painting. The pic is pretty bad (cheap digital camera) but the painting is awesome in person!