Card for a friend on 140# Arches coldpress watercolor paper
Last week a friend from high school dropped by for a visit. We hadn’t seen each other in eons and had lots to catch up on. One thing led to another and we began to talk about her wedding in 1979. I asked if I had gone to her wedding. Without missing a beat she told me I was IN her wedding.
We laughed and laughed.
The memory banks must be full. Afterwards she sent me pictures of her in her beautiful wedding dress and me in my Qiana (Qiana nylon, a DuPont invention from the ’60’s.) bridesmaid dress. I’m guessing my dress was flammable.
The above card was done for some friends who have wonderful lunch gatherings. Lots of food, friends and mostly laughs. I used a reference from a Shirley Trevina book. I used some Caran d’Ache water soluble pencils with a razor blade to add the speckles in the leaves.
Carol King: drawing, painting, complaining 
23 comments
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July 30, 2015 at 10:19 pm
jimmyboi2
Whenever I think of “Carol,” I think of the 70s. We met in Jerry Samuels’ 3D art class (1977); in his first session’s intro lecture, I was idly making tiny pieces of furniture out of paper. I saw Carol staring at my work, eyebrows akimbo. We’ve been fast friends ever since.
We spent quite a few evenings disco dancing in the 70s. When we both LEAPT to the Ice Palace’s dance floor when they started playing the disco version of Handel’s Messiah- futuristically called “Hallelujah 2000-” I knew we would be friends forever.
I moved to Florida in 1978. Our friendship survived via hand-written letters, often written in gelatinous gold metallic ink, and adorned with sparkles and sequins.
Then I got a phone!
Then we both got AOL messaging!
And THEN we got the Mac version of Skype! Facetime? Who remembers what it’s called?
Nowadays, most of our conversations are like this:
“There’s that plant nursery I went to with Mark.”
“You went there with Barb?”
“Who’s Marv?”
When we meet in person every six thousand years, if my mother lets me out of the house, we sit at opposite ends of Carol’s living room couch and read magazines.
Our true friendship has survived hurricanes, technology, various relationships, plague, pestilence, and various moves.
And, this century, I have had the pleasure of seeing this woman’s art blossom into the gorgeous craft it is.
Much love to you, dear 70s friend… here’s to you and I in polyester!!
xoxoxox
July 30, 2015 at 10:50 pm
kk2n777
You sure looked pretty in pink…. So what if the dress was flammable? Fire-retardant is so over-rated. Friable asbestos would have added so much weight that you wouldn’t be able to leap for the bouquet….
July 31, 2015 at 12:18 am
Patti Werner
Oh Carol, it was great catching up with you! Sorry about the flammable dress… We were so reckless in the 70’s, weren’t we? We definitely need more “catching up” time.
I love your card! I guess I forgot how talented you are (beading on canvas?) It WAS the 70’s though….
July 31, 2015 at 12:43 am
padmaja
Bold and spirited work Carol! Love it!
Oh, yes, meeting old friends and dwelling in past memories always feels good. And I can’t forget 1979, the year I got married 🙂
Came back to Muscat after a great time at CA.
July 31, 2015 at 1:42 am
Rebecca
Delicious blues and yellows, beautifully composed. I’d have been very happy to receive this. 🙂
July 31, 2015 at 1:50 am
Suzanne
Haaaaaa!!!!
Also, thank you for reminding me of Quiana. The disco fabric of choice.
SL
Sent from my iPod
July 31, 2015 at 6:39 am
memadtwo
I remember Quiana well…perfect for those heat transfer prints of scenes (I was working in textiles then, polyester double knits galore).
July 31, 2015 at 6:42 am
memadtwo
I meant qiana, they left out the “u”…I hate this new comment box, I’m always hitting send by mistake.
I just also wanted to complement your watercolor, very refreshing. Sorely needed in the heat and humidity of the summer.
July 31, 2015 at 7:18 am
candy7
I swear, Carol, I wish I’d known you in the 70’s. Can you imagine the commotion we’d have stirred up if you’d made a few trips to Vegas then? As usual, this post totally cracked me up. I loved your friends’ comments, too. You are all so much fun!
I like your card. I’ll have to check out Shirley Trevina.
You are so pretty in your Quiana!
July 31, 2015 at 8:18 am
colorpencil2014
seventies…totally in vogue again;0) Love your artwork, great colors and bold shapes! xo Johanan
July 31, 2015 at 12:02 pm
Lifesastitch
LOL I’ve always been a bride (twice), but never a bridesmaid. I was working at Bonwit Teller on Long Island when Quiana was the rage. Memories!
July 31, 2015 at 12:37 pm
June Malone
Wonderful, bright, joyful, slightly abstract painting – which immediately brought Shirley Trevina to mind even before I read your post. I would even go so far as to describe it as “juicy”, my word of the month.
You are pretty as a picture in your pink bridesmaid attire.
August 2, 2015 at 9:07 pm
brad young's art
Great story! I went thru counseling to forget the 70’s, middle school and high school…but your painting is amazing! That belongs in someone’s kitchen.
August 3, 2015 at 10:10 pm
joantav
Awesome dress!!! I had several dresses like that. I was at a wedding this weekend in DC and the bridal party had such beautiful dresses! I was so jealous. Lovely job on the card!
August 4, 2015 at 2:37 pm
agenda19892010
☺
August 5, 2015 at 12:49 am
lesliepaints
Beautiful card, Carol! …and beautiful you! It cracks me up to get those old photos out. I squint at them and say, “Is that really me? Is that really you?” Ha! Thanks for sharing!
August 7, 2015 at 6:16 pm
Sam
First, sorry I’m late. I got way-laid by your pal Jimmyboi’s sweet message here… what a special friend you’ve got there!
What was I going to say?… where am I?… oh, yeah…
Thanks for making me laugh out loud again.
August 12, 2015 at 8:06 pm
ruthsartwork
I remember the 70’s too, but I managed to miss the bridesmaid thing, mostly. I had a chiffonie kind of dress at my sister’s wedding, but that was the only one. It is fun to look at the old photos. Now if I could just remember what was happening ……
I love the colors in your card. I’m sure the recipients will love it, too.
August 14, 2015 at 6:03 pm
Deb
Carol I don’t think I’ve ever seen a pic of you from this time. So pretty! Hope all is well and you’re enjoying “retirement.”
August 15, 2015 at 3:08 pm
Mary
Beautiful painting Carol. Oh boy do I remember the 70’s – just had a 40th high school reunion!!
August 17, 2015 at 3:00 pm
outsideauthority
Will I ever wear again the ankle length, long sleeve, high collar dresses I did as a kid in the 70’s. My nightdresses were the same, but not as scratchy. Your hair looks fab. A friend has been planning an Abigail’s Party Party for a while, will I have time to crochet a skirt? Fab post.
August 21, 2015 at 8:26 am
elenacaravela
🙂 The blues and yellows work so well! Lovely painting.
August 24, 2015 at 8:57 pm
ssgt leslie
Pretty card.