I like being in his studio behind the house and listening to his stories about Vietnam, his early years as a painter and the influence of the war on his work, the similiaries and difference between his twin and himself, and the challenges of choosing to channel his creativity within the boundaries of a career as a university art professor. Richard Olsen (known as Olie by most of his students, peers and friends) talks with his hands, punctuating key phrases with gusto and passion. High on the wall is a poster-size image of this beauty sunning on the sand. “Who’s this?” I asked with a smile, pointing up at the confident woman on the wall. Raising his eyebrows, he quickly fumbled over tubes of oil paint and stacks of papers to locate and lift up this miniature replica. “That’s my bride,” he replied.
Here is my pinup grandmother,circa 1938 shortly before marrying my grandfather.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/humbirdhum/5535721140/
And this is a photo of her brother, circa 1940, with his bride to be. They both came from an incredible Irish family with 7 children, quick witted and faster to smile. Unfortunately William died in 1942 during WWII. Looks to be the perfect uncle doesn't he?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/humbirdhum/5535720208/
How cool! It's always so amazing to see those youthful photos. It seems hard to believe sometimes that the older people we know were once young and carefree in a way we never saw. Thanks for sharing this amazing photo and the beautiful story behind it.
Love the story this tells. Really wonderful photo-journalism!
How darling. I love looking at old photos, I have a few from the 60s and 70s of my parents – looking at them so young and hopeful always makes me smile (if a little sad).
My mum and her sister in the late 60s:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/53759195@N05/5535414949/
This photograph moves me beyond words.
A photo of my mom. At ninety-two she is as beautiful today as she was then.
http://www.soeursdujour.com/2010/09/just-sit-there-and-look-pretty-.html
i love this photo stephanie! his painted hands, the miniature bw image. it's just beautiful.
this image tells a million stories. Love this post.
This post is a nice reminder of how important it is to take lots of pictures of the people and things around us right now. Everything changes and it can change in an instant. Capture moments of everything and everyone you love.
This is an amazing image: hands, old photo, the texture of the background, the color palette. It elicits such emotion.
bellissimi scatto e parole
Beautifully done! I'm so drawn to this photo. I want to know more. I love the contrast of the black and white photo and then the small splashes of coloured paint on his hands and jacket. Also love how the background is out of focus, but still sets the scene. Fantastic!
So touching. A post so full of 'feelings and emotions'. As usual. You continue to 'awe' me. Thank you so much.
And my post…having to do with parents…having been young also.
http://simpleserendipityphotography.blogspot.com/2011/03/unconditional.html
This is WONDERFUL.
Both your story and photograph makes me feel as if I'm in the room listening to Olie recount his great love. It's incredibly beautiful!
My dad (80) carries around a picture of my mother from the 1950s. She is beautiful with flaming red hair and bright red lips in an emerald green cocktail dress with crinolines under it a high, high heels. He has carried it with him since I can remember. And when I became an adult, I realized: That's what he sees everytime he looks at her.
http://flic.kr/p/9sY2EW