This past weekend, in one of KindSpring member '"ThankfulTK's" always wonderful and informative posts, he wrote about the famous American painter, Winslow Homer, (1821-1896). Since Art History class in college, I had always admired his work and I was fortunate to see an extensive exhibition of his work when I was in my early 30's.
It was at this event that I purchased a print of his painting, 'Snap the Whip', shown below. I had it framed and until I retired from teaching it always hung in my classroom. I thought it truly captured the freedom and fun of childhood. These young boys playing this game are not even wearing shoes!
During my last year of teaching, there was a young woman In her first year of teaching right next door to me and we got to be good friends. She had been an art student before switching to education, so her eyes were drawn immediately to this print whenever she entered my room. On my last day of teaching, after the students had left, I took the painting off the wall and walked next door and gave it to her.
She was really overwhelmed, but very pleased to have it. I was pleased that someone else and all the students she would have would treasure it as much as I had. We found the perfect place for it on one of her walls and hung it together. Thank you, Thankful, for bringing back this wonderful memory for me.
It was at this event that I purchased a print of his painting, 'Snap the Whip', shown below. I had it framed and until I retired from teaching it always hung in my classroom. I thought it truly captured the freedom and fun of childhood. These young boys playing this game are not even wearing shoes!
During my last year of teaching, there was a young woman In her first year of teaching right next door to me and we got to be good friends. She had been an art student before switching to education, so her eyes were drawn immediately to this print whenever she entered my room. On my last day of teaching, after the students had left, I took the painting off the wall and walked next door and gave it to her.
She was really overwhelmed, but very pleased to have it. I was pleased that someone else and all the students she would have would treasure it as much as I had. We found the perfect place for it on one of her walls and hung it together. Thank you, Thankful, for bringing back this wonderful memory for me.
1022 Reads
- Posted by kjoyw
- Mar 11, 2017
- Comments (6)
Readers Comments
autumnsky38 wrote: It's a beautiful painting but more beautiful was that you gave yours away to that younger woman. You're sweet. :)
splain wrote: It is something that many children today don't have. You can "feel" their happiness in this painting. Nice one passing it on to the other teacher.
RoseMarie wrote: Such a beautiful story Kate. It's so lovely to think it still carried on in education after you retired. Lovely kindness and lovely memory x 💓
Rajni wrote: Nice to see pictures of children with no cell phone in hand or any other gadget. Thanks for sharing.
mindyjourney wrote: Beautiful giving, dear kate, and such wonderful memories :))).
leoladyc728 wrote: so kind of you to give the picture to the new teacher. Really pretty.
