To the heart of the matter. . .

 

The A.A. Doub Home
11" x 14"  .  Belgian Linen on Wood Panel

What a pleasure it's been to paint the Doub homestead - not only because of my new connection to the delightful, sparkle-in-her-eye woman who was born in and grew up in this home, but to be a part of remembering and reminiscing about "home" and what that means.  Six children were raised here - that alone conjures up images of constant bustling activity, large gatherings, confidences shared, family and friends. One of the most romantic lines I've ever heard in a movie - and I'm paraphrasing - was "Being with you feels like home."  A simple statement yet stunningly powerful I think, for so many of us have been most fortunate to know the feeling of home.   

 

"Mid pleasures and places though we may roam,

Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home."

~ John Howard Payne   

 

The A.A. Doub home was lovingly built in 1925 by my client's father and artisan carpenters.  I say artisan, because if you've ever seen men work with wood - well, it's certainly a creative art, isn't it?  This large home, no longer standing to testify for itself, was built in Yadkin County, North Carolina, on around 200 acres that included wooded areas, crop fields and a dairy farm.  Arzie Aldene Doub, wearing the hat of both businessman and farmer, worked closely with the State Agriculture Department, and being held in high esteem was named Farmer of the Year at one point.  He actually descended from John Doub who immigrated from Germany around 1773. . .the roots are very deep in North Carolina, for John showed up in the Piedmont region around 1780.  One hundred forty-five years later, the fifth generation was busy building their particular homestead. . . 

 

Electricity didn't come to the house until perhaps the late 30's, early 40's.  The kitchen was large with a wood stove and fireplace - my client had the ability (and the chore) to split kindling wood to just the right thickness for getting those early morning fires going.  A clothesline was strung in the attic (over the warm kitchen) for drying clothes on rainy days. . .the family garden was just beyond the fence at the back of the house. . .imagine the care and attention it received and needed.  There was a wide central hall upstairs as you would expect, along with a swing on the front porch.  The inside stairwell served as stage for the younger generations to descend when playing dress-up wearing found finery.

 

My reference for this painting was a single black and white photo - with my client's guidance I was able to bring it to life in color with an artistic dash, creating a lasting memory for generations to come.  To my mind it's a symbol of those deep roots to land and country, family, love, a way of life that gave so much to those in its midst and formed the foundation of values for the subsequent generations. I want to be sitting in that side yard, feeling the breeze of a North Carolina morning, knowing the comfort of a growing garden, the sound of life and family emanating from the open windows carrying with it all the possibilities of a new day before me.  

 

"Preserve your memories, they're all that's left you."

~ Paul Simon     

Thank you S.D.P. for giving me this opportunity to imagine.