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Dear Friends:
My show with Medlin Art, Ltd., in Leesburg, Virginia, was a lot of fun. It’s always a joy to be with owner Shirley Medlin, her staff, family, and friends. Leesburg itself is such an interesting area, with beautiful old houses and shops. Everything is full of history and character; everything has a story to tell.
I love Leesburg! I’m pictured in the center with Shirley Medlin (in yellow jacket) and some of her staff and volunteers.
L. to R., me, Patrick “another Pat” Medlin, and Shirley Medlin.
I love meeting new people and making new friends, but I love seeing old friends, too. I was particularly delighted to see a young woman who went to school with my children. She came to the show and brought her daughter with her.
I was thrilled when another one of “my children” came to the show. Penny brought her daughter with her, and she was another joy.
This Sunday is Mother’s Day, so I’m going to share with you the history of Mother’s Day as I learned it while creating the painting for Celebrating the Day in 2005. When one of my dealers suggested that I create a painting and print edition of the International Mother’s Day Shrine, also known as Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church, in Grafton, West Virginia, I thought it was a wonderful idea. I didn’t know the history of Mother’s Day until I worked on the painting, and I’m so glad to have had the opportunity to learn the story. The idea for Mother’s Day originated with Anna Jarvis, whose mother passed away on May 9, 1905. Two years later, on the second Sunday in May of 1907, Anna invited several friends over in commemoration of her mother’s life and announced her idea to have a day of national celebration in honor of mothers. The following spring, Anna wrote to the Superintendent of Andrews Methodist Church Sunday School in Grafton, West Virginia, where her mother had taught classes for twenty years, and suggested that the church celebrate a Mother’s Day in her honor. On May 10, 1908, the first official Mother’s Day service was held in the church.
Celebrating the Day depicts the International Mother’s Day Shrine in Grafton, West Virginia, which is the site of the first official Mother’s Day service. This Mother’s Day marks the 100th anniversary of that service.
I have six children and ten grandchildren, so I know well the work, the worry, the sacrifice, and the unconditional love that go along with being a mother. My own mother was a spirited, independent-natured woman who lost her mother at a very early age. She was raised by a large family of older brothers and sisters. Mother was a children’s clothing designer, and I probably inherited some of my artistic ability from her. I credit my dyslexia for the other portion of my ability, because it enables me to see things in ways that other people don’t.
I was blessed to have my mother for such a long time. She was born in 1904 and lived to be 97, passing away in 2001. A celebration for mothers has been held at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church every year since 1908, so this Mother’s Day marks its 100th celebration. Mother’s Day has been celebrated at Andrews almost since my mother’s birth, and I think that makes it a very special place.
This weekend I’ll be celebrating Mother’s Day with my “extended Moss family” of collectors and friends at two shows. I’ll be with Frameworks Plus in Princeton, West Virginia, Friday and Saturday and with Loving Art Gallery in Covington, Virginia, Sunday afternoon.
I’ve created a special print edition to release during the show with Frameworks Plus. Concord-The Campus Beautiful features Marsh Hall on the campus of Concord University in Athens, West Virginia. Friday evening we’ll attend a reception and a live news broadcast at Concord University, followed by the show on Saturday at Frameworks Plus in Princeton.
Concord-The Campus Beautiful will be released during my show with Frameworks Plus in Princeton, West Virginia. For more information, please contact the gallery at 304-327-7111.
I’m looking forward to seeing my friends in Covington, Virginia, when I’m there for a special Mother’s Day signing Sunday afternoon.
Next Thursday, May 15, I’ll be in Harrisonburg, Virginia, for a very special evening at WVPT, Harrisonburg’s public television station. I’m a proud supporter of WVPT. For the past 27 years I have donated a special print edition, and the proceeds from the sale of the prints (over $1 million) have helped the station provide culturally enriching adult and children’s programming. WVPT will celebrate both its 40th anniversary and my 75th birthday this year with a live broadcast and airing of its documentary about my life and my art, P. Buckley Moss: The Lady Behind the Brush. The event will last from 7:30-11:00 p.m. on May 15 and will include the airing of the documentary, live appearances by myself and others, and an auction of this year’s special print Winter’s Peace. For more information, please contact WVPT at 540-434-5391.
Winter’s Peace is this year’s special print edition that I’ve donated to WVPT in Harrisonburg, Virginia. For more information, please contact WVPT at 540-434-5391.
My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Myanmar this week. I either listen to books on tape or the TV while I paint, and the news reports about the devastating cyclone that struck Myanmar are heartbreaking. I pray that the aid workers will be able to reach everyone who needs help in time.
Love and best wishes
(and Happy Mother’s Day!),
Pat
The Moss
Portfolio
74 Poplar Grove Lane
Mathews, VA 23109
(800) 430-1320
©P. Buckley Moss 2005