Oddington Place

 


So far in my travels, my favorite place is a close tie. I fell in love with the Cotswolds in just one day when we traveled to London four years ago.  Venice, more exotic-looking overall yet steeped in history,  is neck and neck in my mind.


It was just a day, but it was the perfect day in my memory.  I think of it often so fondly.  How do I define a perfect day?  It's really like the movie the Perfect Storm for me, because there are a few elements that must come together.  It starts with who is sharing the day with me.  In this case, it was just the three of us, but on that day we were perfectly in sync and all three of us enjoyed each stop on our tour in our own way.  Sam photographed it beautifully.  Jim walked in contemplative thought.  I just kept marveling as each new beautiful area unfolded before me and chattered happily.  All very different responses, but all very family Curry.  Not only is it who I share the day with, it is often the people that I meet along the way.  We visited three very different towns during the tour and so many of the people I met were genuine and responsive.  I had quite a few wonderful conversations, much to the chagrin of my quieter family members, since often they were engaged at the same time.  My third element (in no particular order)  is the ambiance. The pictures below give a glimpse but just are not able to do it all.   It's always nice when a day surprises you, too.  No pictures to share, but this is also the day I discovered Sam Toft's Mustard Family world and now (thanks to my sister) have a smattering of Mustard moments all through my foyer and in the studio.  I smile every time I see them. I grin every time I see Doris.  And finally, the feeling of repletion at the end.  That feeling, so full of emotion and imagery, doesn't come every day.  I savor it when it does, though. 

It's then not a reach that I've decided to do a series of paintings inspired by that day and Oddington Place is the first in that series and the original will be available here starting on Friday night.  Oddington is a charming town (with a charming name)  in the Cotswolds.   There may eventually be prints in my Etsy store, but right now there is this one original.  It is 9" x 9" x 2" on deep cradle gallery-wrapped canvas and is ready to hang.  I hope I find out who takes it to a forever home.  It will always be in my heart.