Thursday, June 24, 2010

Thursday Thirteen - 164 - 13 Creative Works by My Grandfather, Charles Doucet Sr.


















As I state over in my sidebar, 'I love to showcase creative works by artists of all stripes.'

Here at A Piece of My Mind, I've had an embarrassment of riches when it comes to my own family. I've posted art shows featuring:

My mom - Paulette Phillips

My uncle - Charles E. Doucet

My sister-in-law - Anna Baccin

My other sister-in-law - Violetta Smith


















For today's Thursday Thirteen, I'm opening my Art Gallery doors to feature my late grandfather, Charles Doucet Sr.

When I was old enough to start noticing what characteristics made up the different members of my family, I knew that one grandfather played the fiddle, and one grandfather painted. Grandpa Doucet was the painting grandfather, and anytime I smell turpentine or oilpaints, I automatically think of him.

He made his living as a portrait photographer, but didn't leave his passion for photography in the studio.

I have very affectionate memories of him constantly sketching in numerous sketchbooks with colored pencils or pastels. I remember being fascinated as he mixed the colors on his artist's palette. I remember all the rags and the brushes in his basement on the shelf outside his darkroom.

His art work graced the walls of his home and of his children's homes. I've never lived anywhere without an art piece of his upon the wall.

So I'm pleased to share a small selection of his work with you, in honor of his birthday, which is coming up on the 27th. Feel free to stroll about the gallery - I'm going to see about that tray of fruit heading this way.




- 1 - A depiction of the Sacred Heart

A very early piece done in colored pencil, dating from his boyhood in Cheticamp, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia












- 2 - Cheticamp rug hooking













The town where he grew up is known for creating fabulous, intricate hooked rugs. In later life, he gave lessons on rug hooking.



- 3 - My circus clown










When I was little, this hung in my bedroom.



- 4 - Yarmouth Harbour










My grandparents moved from Canada to Michigan in the 50's, and back to Canada in the 70's when he retired. They settled in my Gram's hometown of Yarmouth, which has really incredible sunsets. He painted a lot of silhouette landscapes during this period.



- 5 - Moonlight

He also did quite a few snowy scenes, especially set at night.















- 6 - Bluenose II

He did this one especially for my Uncle Warren, who served in the United States Navy.




The Bluenose II has its home port in Nova Scotia, and is featured on the Canadian dime.




















- 7 - Cottage with Birches

This always hung in my grandparents' living room.

It was definitely hanging on the wall beside Gram's rocking chair during her last decade here.






- 8 - Cape Breton scenery

This piece was painted on the outside of the shed at their Yarmouth home. It became a bit of a landmark for awhile.









- 9 - Portrait of Simon Doucet

Grandpa concentrated mainly on landscapes, but he was known to paint figures from time to time. This is a portrait of his father.









It was painted from this photographic portrait, also taken by Grandpa.















This is an amazing shot of my great-grandfather, since Grandpa was very keen on posing his subjects for studio portraits. The naturalism and candid moment is quite atypical for my grandfather's photography.









- 10 - Turkish Coffee

















- 11 - Abstract Autumn Colors













Grandpa didn't create too many abstract pieces, but this one is a favorite of mine.



- 12 - Snow Scene











- 13 - Sunset, Yarmouth











Here's my grandfather with his wife, Juliette - my Gram. This was taken at his portrait studio for their 25th wedding anniversary.










Also here at the gallery, in spirit, is my Aunt Sheila.








Nabbed for a picture are Charles' children, Louis, Warren, Paulette and Charlie.







We'd all like to thank you so much for dropping by my grandfather's art show. ((hugs)) It's been great to see you here!

Shelley Munro says I particularly liked the Turkish man and the snow scenes. Very nice!

Kelly Boyce says What a great show! I love the candid photo of your great grandpa.

Akelamalu says The scenery on the side of the shed is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. no wonder it became a landmark!

14 comments:

Shelley Munro said...

Julia, there's a lot of talent in your family. I particularly liked the Turkish man and the snow scenes. Very nice!

Janet said...

Your family so is amazing, Julia!

I love the art work today - the Bluenose being my favorite of the paintings. But it is the rughooking I am most taken by. Oh, and the mural on the shed! Your grandfather was a very talented man. Thank you for sharing him with us today :)

Kelly Boyce said...

What a great show! I love the candid photo of your great grandpa. My maternal grandfather and paternal grandmother were both great oil painters and their paintings are amongst my prized possessions.

Unknown said...

You have such a talented family. Just think, all those creative genes passed on to you. Thanks for sharing.

Pamela Callow said...

Julia - incredible! Your grandfather was so talented. I love his landscapes and his rugs. That abstract design is gorgeous!

Akelamalu said...

Such a talented family and you have definitely inherited the genes with your writing!

The scenery on the side of the shed is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. no wonder it became a landmark!

Unknown said...

You did it again!
A masterful Art Show!!... and such a thrill to see my father's creative works all in one place... thanks, Julia, for your efforts in putting this show together, and in time for his birthday this month, ( he would have been 95 years young this year!)
I owe his genes for my lifelong career in photography and film production... thanks, Dad!

Your appreciative Uncle Charlie.

Julianne MacLean said...

Love all the art pieces you chose, Julia. Great blog today!

Mia Celeste said...

Julia,
Wow, you're lucky to have such a talented grandfather. I like the sun on the water scene the best. Happy TT!

Unknown said...

What an incredible talent!!! Thanks for sharing. More, please.

Travis Cody said...

Wonderful. I'm so impressed by the portrait.

M. said...

How cool! Embarrassment of riches indeed. Something about being close to the Atlantic?

In any case, I thought the Turkish coffee canvas was very cool. I've seen that exact pose many times in people of Middle Eastern descent.

Violetta Smith said...

What a show! I really enjoy that. You must be very proud of him, because it looks like he was a great painter and an amazing photographer. Thank you for sharing.

Stella MacLean said...

Viewing this blog was like walking through an art gallery exhibit, but on top of that the personal comments added such depth to the experience. Thank you so much.
Stella