Many years ago, when we lived in southern Indiana, I took my sons to a mall art show. As we walked by the displays of oils and watercolors, of pottery and woodcarvings, I happened upon a regional artist whose oil paintings called out and drew me in. We talked for a few minutes then I bought a small painting I found particularly pleasant. She had titled the meticulous oil At Pond’s Edge.
Time passed. The painting came with us to one new home, then another. Always the image of the tranquil pond with its wild grasses, bushes, and butterflies brought comfort. Then, at some point, my writer’s imagination took over. Something happened at that pond, but what? It niggles at my thoughts even now, after all these years. I know there is a story to tell. Someday, it will come to me and I will weave the scene into my book. Maybe not in this work, but surely in my next.
In recent years, I have come to wonder about the artist. I recall that she had many other lovely paintings on display at that long ago mall art show. Her name is Linda Jerina Buis. Is she still painting, still selling her fine work? Or has she gone on to other interests? Internet searches came to naught. Until recently.
Last month I discovered another oil painting by Linda Jerina Buis. It was for sale online. I emailed the friendly lady who had posted the ad. I learned that she had bought Down on the Farm from an estate sale near her home, somewhere outside Kansas City. After several quite interesting emails, we arranged the sale. From a writer’s retreat in Maine, I snail-mailed her a postal money order and she carefully packaged and shipped the painting to me cross county. I opened it with joy.
As I hung my new painting, a sense of wonder came over me. There is a story here too, I thought, in this painting of an old farm and the surrounding countryside. Someday soon, I will write it.
I remember you mailing that money order when we were in Maine! I’m glad it arrived safely and now has a home where it will be loved. Art should be loved. The artist puts pieces of her/himself in each work. Just like us writers.
When that story comes to you, be ready. Your fan club will be waiting for the pieces of you that you will give to us.
Deb, I love these paintings! Beautiful.
Deb, I’ve always loved the Americana type of folk paintings, and have always believed they hold a world of stories in their charming scenes. Once at the Abby Rockefeller Folk Art Museum in Williamsburg (a not-to-miss place!) I discovered a painting of an adorable baby sitting in a high chair, who could have been a clone of my first son when he was a baby. Now there’s a possible story! Great stuff.
Kathleen
Deb,
What a delightful surprise when my cousin in New Jersey sent me to this site. I often wonder the paths my paintings follow once I’ve released them to a “good home.” I looked up your name in my files and noted the buyer of “At Pond’s Edge” and another painting, as a young writer with 2 children at Washington Sq Mall. And then to see the following painting, “Down on the Farm” having travelled cross country and back to find a new home was so interesting. Such a neat surprise.
To answer your query, yes I am still painting and have been for the last 30 + years. I still work in oils and have ventured into Giclee Prints of my work this past year. I still do some Art Fairs, exhibit monthly in a gallery in Cape Girardeau MO, enter regional juried art exhibitions, exhibit in a few restaurants and shops in MO & IN as well as commission work. My interests are still nature, the out of doors and rural life. I put a signature cardinal in each of my paintings.
Where are you living now? I would like to send you a little bio and perhaps some photos of my more recent work. I think you will like how my style has developed and is so characteristically “my” style.
Thank you for the praise and interest in me – it does an artist good to hear such musings as I am sure you are aware.
My best to you and I sincerely do hope to hear from you in the very near future.