11 - FRENCH BEAUTY

FRENCH BEAUTY

13 ⅞ x 10 ⅝ inches

(Early 1900’s—Great- Grandmother Clementine Young in front of her childhood home, Tekamah, Nebraska)

My Great-Grandparents Clementine and Andrew raised their family on their acreage on the prairie. When Great-Grandpa passed, Great-Grandma moved back to her childhood house in Tekamah. As the first- born son, Grandpa Ben took over the homestead, following the family tradition.

Delicate ornamentations embroider this painting: the fretwork of the house, Great-Grandmother’s lace collar, the trees, and even the shadows beget an air of French refinement. French heritage instilled a deep respect for elegance. With sensitive words and visual beauty, an essence of sacredness flourished.

During my great-grandparents’ courting days, they exchanged letters laced with love and respect...“and where we have opinions of our own we will make them add in harmony like the different notes in singing, all arising in one glorious and beautiful sound.”

When surrounded by beauty, we linger in tune with something beyond our singleness.