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Saturday, December 31, 2011

Make Way For The Ducklings! 6x6 Inches, Oil Painting Boston

NFS
Well, HAPPY NEW YEAR!  2011 has had it's challenges, at least in my life, but I have been very blessed by rich friendships, old and new.  I have learned again that friends are the best wealth you can have.  And I have some good, strong goals for the New Year - personally and professionally.  I don't do resolutions, because when you break them you feel defeated.  With goals, if you fall short - just try again!  Eventually you'll get there.  It's NOT a race.

This painting is my submission for my Girls Just Wanna Paint group, and the topic was "Local Landmark'.  Now, I'm going to warn you that these bronze statues of ducks are not in RI, they are in Boston, in the Public Garden.  But I lived most of my life in and around Boston, and am just charmed by this sculpture set.  I should find and include the photo of my daughter's 2nd grade class all sitting on the ducks from a field trip there.  Literally, almost all day these sculptures are covered with children.  The inspiration was Robert McCloskey's children's book Make Way For The Ducklings, set in Boston.
It is a wonderful story about a duck family that starts out in the Charles River area, which turns out to be not safe enough in this mother duck's eye.  She then waddles her family through neighborhoods and across impossibly busy streets to get them to the safe haven of the Public Garden pond.  If you have a small one to read to, I promise they will love this simple book.  Of course, then someday you have to take them to Boston to see and sit on the sculpture (and call me and I'll meet you for coffee!)
So, do check out our post today - promises to be interesting!
And I wish you all health, happiness and prosperity in 2012!

17 comments:

  1. I absolutely love this...but more than that...I love the story and the feeling I get from the whole post! MORE than that...I love the connection and friendship you have given me. Happy, healthy and art filled New Year!

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  2. this is sooooooo adorable kelley! i absolutely LOVE it! happy new year to you and yours, all the best, suz

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  3. Kelley..First of all..I LOVE this painting and I love the choice for the Challenge! Serendipity! I brought this book to CA for my 2 year old grandson 2 days ago..This book has been our 'connection'...reading this story together...over and over again....looking forward to showing him Boston and the Mallard's home next time he comes to Boston

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  4. Love the painting. Had this book as a child. Happy New Year to you!

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  5. Right back at you, Kelley, with wonderful wishes for this new year. Love the painting and the story behind it!

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  6. just gave this book as a gift! And have seen those wonderful ducklings in Boston so just loved this post and your very excellent painting! Happy New Year Kelley.

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  7. Love it...Happy New Year to you..watched the Penguin Plunge at Grinnell today. Hope we can cavort together soon!

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  8. Great painting, Kelley! It makes me think of the many times I passed these ducklings in the Public Garden, while living in Boston. Happy New Year!

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  9. Awh, a new favorite...what do I do when you keep coming up with beautiful paintings and posts one after another?! This one is just perfect- sweet and a wonderful nostalgic feel to it. Love that.

    I am so thankful to have met you early on in 2011 and truly have enjoyed the gift of that friendship with you. Here's to a fabulous 2012 and will see you soon:):)

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  10. Happy New Year Kelley! Love your painting and the book and the sculptures in Boston. Just Ducky!

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  11. Love, love, love this painting. When I was stitching, two of my most famous designs were adult male mallards and yellow baby ducks. My daughter and son-in-law were very happy on Christmas morning with their gift of your red jeep painting. It will hang in my grandsons bedroom. So glad we met in early 2011, and Happy New Year!!!

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  12. Love this painting, Kelley ... Happy New Year to you and yours, and Happy Painting in 2012! (And I promise whenever I get up to your neck of the woods I WILL call to meet you for coffee!)

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  13. Love the book (I own it myself) and the painting :) Happy New Year!

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  14. LOVE this painting - you made the bronze scupltures come alive and they are adorable!

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  15. Love the energy in this and the way they march right up to the viewer-very fun:)

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  16. We had that book as kids and I bought my grandkids a copy to enjoy a few years ago. Cute story. Love the ducks, one of those paintings that brings a smile and good memories.

    Leigh

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