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## A Small Antique Watercolor Painting ..
Hangs on the wall just outside of the breakfast nook, on a small area of wall facing the dinning room of my parents home. It is most definitely antique, but more importantly and impressively, it has survived the test of time and has remained in the family. Why is this important, one may ask? Because it was created by family, passed down to my mother and hopefully one day to one of us kids. If it is me, I would do the same, hang it on the wall for all to admire. I would be proud to have it displayed and would love to tell the short but important story of where it came from and how it came into my possession, if anyone should ever ask.
## Minnie Keiffer ..
Born on March 7th, 1895 and Died young at 28 years old from Tuberculosis, on December 31st, 1934 (New Years Eve 😢). We are thinking that it was painted sometime between 1915 and 1924. I would love to have more of her work, if any is still floating around out there. Who knows, after connecting with my distant family, a piece or two may be found in their possession. If anything, it would be neat to view the works. Below is a snip-it from geni.com, where a family member of ours has put in the hard work of laying out some genealogy. The long short of it is that Minnie would be my great grandmother's sister. Would that be my great, great aunt? I think so.
[Source](https://www.geni.com/people/Minnie-Keiffer/6000000040308942194)
### From What I Understand ..
The frame, matting, and glass are all original. The frame, matt and painting all show a little wear and tear along with some fading. That is expected since the piece is roughly 100 years old. The nicks and scrapes, the faded paint, and the pencil marks still visible on the matting, give the entire piece character. I for one love a little character! This can easily be seen below.
### The Painting ..
The general theme of the painting. This part of my family didn't stray too far from the boarders of Pennsylvania. I am thinking that this may have been a riverside painting, quite possibly inspired by one of the nearby great lakes. It's a cute little plantation style home, with an addition, that sits closely to the edge of the water. If you look closely at the details, you can make out bits of colored foliage, a picket fence or two, a barn of sorts, a couple of row boats, and a man in suspenders seated on the reddish colored row boat. Maybe the season depicted here is fall or spring.
The right side of the painting is also my favorite side. It appeals to me for many reasons, including the colors used, the house and fencing, and the many details of waterside life. But the largest reason that I am drawn to this side, is because of those two large and stately trees. The appear to be either oaks or maples. I suppose I now know where I get my fascination with drawing and/or painting TREES.. From My Great Great Aunt Minnie!
On the left side, or water side of the painting, one can make out a few ships on the horizon. These are tall ships with their masts protruding tall into the sky. These would be indicative of the time period, and most likely spotted coming in and out of port. They are painted a light grey, as they would most likely appear in real life, far off in the distance.
### Overall ..
#### The painting held a good amount of its color for being a 100 year old +/- watercolor painting.
## I Would Venture To Say ..
More people than not, do not have something, on display, that was handed down to them by an older family member. Maybe even less of us have something in our possession or displayed, that was created or crafted by someone they are related to.. An antique with sentimental family ties. If one does, than they should feel privileged and honored that it has been preserved and carefully kept alive and in the family. I would also hope that the item would bring joy and comfort to the current owner. In this particular case, this is absolutely true. I know my mother enjoys having it displayed, and maybe one day I will as well 😊
## Have A Great Day or Night my fellow Hivesters!!
### Thank you for swinging by my blog and checking out the post. Have a great day!
### All words, pictures and art pieces are the sole property of B D Miller Gallery, unless otherwise noted and credited, and are not to be reproduced or copied without the prior written consent of B D Miller Gallery.
## About Me ~ The Artist
My art work incorporates a wide variety of subject matter, including landscape, seascape, cityscape, and still life images. My works are the product of a continuing process of exploration through which I seek to portray personal and visionary interpretations of my surroundings. My paintings are impressions of places and events from everyday life, an interpretation of my imagination, and personal responses to what I see and feel on a daily basis. More recently I have invested generous amounts of time into my landscape painting. I am surrounded by natural and man made beauty, which inherently presents itself in the tri-state area, and almost demands that I paint it.
Not everything is art. Art is not everything, but it comes close. Art is everywhere and all the time. Art makes you experience the beauty of the world, the people in it, and the places we call home. Art itself is so influential that it can tell stories, show feelings, and express passion or fury. Art exists in addition to language; expression of sensations and thoughts, revealing a way of thinking too subtle and delicate for words.
For me art requires love, honesty and perseverance. In return, it reveals some personal, non-analyzable, and creative untamed passion. For the public, art with its magnificent beauty, improves mood and health and builds better human beings and communities. It engages the intellect, softens the heart, strengthens the soul and frees the spirit.
## If Your Interested In Purchasing Any Of My Work:
They can be found for sale in
My [Facebook Shop](https://www.facebook.com/pg/BDMillerGallery/shop)
OR
My [Etsy Store](https://www.etsy.com/shop/BDMillerGallery?ref=seller-platform-mcnav)
If you don't see the piece in either shop, It may still be drying. Let me know and I can upload it as soon as possible to be available. Or you can always make me an offer (in SBD or STEEM) in the comments section of this post. If we agree on a price, I will then ship the painting to you. (shipping costs will be determined by your location).
# I Proudly Support:
### The SBD Potato: [Peg Repair Community Initiative](https://steemit.com/steem/@sbdpotato/sbd-potato-peg-repair-community-initiative)
### Curation by @qurator, @ocdb, @art-venture, @steemitbloggers, @curangle, @steemflagrewards, @theluvbug, @c-squared, and @helpie - Kudos to them and many others for supporting great content and making the blockchain a happier and healthier place to spend time :-D
### "Like A Shadow, I Am and I Am Not." ~ Rumi
~BDMillerGallery Steemit Edition Post~
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