Whippo Playground, Nostalgia
My step-dad showed up a few weeks ago asking me to paint a picture of the place where he grew up–not the house but the playground nearby. It wasn’t a very scenic spot and there were lots of changes to be made to make it “like it used to be”. It turns out that he was once part of an informal gang who would hang out there, climb the water tower, play baseball, and create havoc for the folks nearby. They are meeting up this weekend at the sports bar we went to earlier this month which is owned by another of the former crowd. This painting is to be there as a reminder.
I was nervous about it because in general I prefer to paint people and their doings and water towers aren’t high on my list. However, after standing out in the snow taking pictures from all angles then buckling down and getting it done, I found that all the males in my life ADORE water towers. I find that very odd. Both my husband and son wanted prints of it and my stepdad was absolutely in hog heaven when he saw it. Go figure.
