A new bunny painting - this one along with the recent portrait of
Wee Elodie will be sent as Christmas gifts to my dear friend Gwen who lives in England.
 |
| Jack Toovey / 12 x 9 / oil on linen panel |
Many of those who follow my blog may remember that my daughter Kimberly has been living and working for the past two years in Amsterdam. My husband, son and I recently traveled to Europe to visit her. She is planning to come home (with her close friend Hans) in early December to spend a few days with us and we are all very excited! In the meantime, her employer has sent her to Russia on a business trip to meet up with her colleagues in the Moscow office. She arrived on Saturday and on Sunday spent the day with her new friends touring the Kremlin!
 |
| Kim (3rd from left) with her Russian co-workers in front of St. Basil's Cathedral |
 |
| Cathedral of the Assumption - first constructed in 1326 and rebuilt in 1479 of vaulted limestone with 5 golden cupolas. In 1547 the coronation of the first Russian Tsar, Ivan the Terrible, took place here and Napoleons troops stabled their horses inside during the Russian campaign. |
 |
| Inside the Cathedral of the Assumption |
 |
| Inside showing frescoes |
 |
| My daughter in Moscow! |
 |
| WWII tomb of the Unknown Soldier |
 |
| Kimberly with Russian Guards |
 |
| In Red Square, Kilometer Zero is marked with a bronze plaque in front of the Iberian Gate. All points from Moscow are measured from here and it is tradition to toss a coin over your shoulder to please Lady Fortune. |
 |
| I told Kim to keep her eyes open for a sighting of President Putin and I guess she did! |
The surname of Smolensky is a Russian name and in the museums there are several paintings of Russian princesses:
 |
| Princess Ecaterina Smolensky |
 |
Princess Daria Smolensky
Some day I suppose we should investigate through Ancestry.com to see if we are truly related to any of these people but its fun to think we might be! Moscow also boasts a Smolensky Bridge and Smolensky Boulevard. The Boulevard was immortalized by Kandinsky in his painting Smolensky Boulevard in Snow. What fun!
|
 |
| Add caption |
Bonjour chère Susan,
ReplyDeleteJe suis certaine que votre amie va être très heureux de recevoir ce magnifique présent !
Il est superbe ce nouveau lapin... J'aime son allure avec ce mouvement très présent. J'ai presque envoie de lui tendre les bras afin de l'attraper !
Les nuances de couleurs sont aussi très jolies.
Merci de partager avec nous les photos remarquables de ta fille à Moscou.
Une bien jolie fille, une bien jolie princesse elle aussi !
Gros bisous à toi
You are so kind and generous with your comments, Martine! I thank you deeply! Gros bisous a toi!
DeleteThe bunny is so adorable! I love seeing your daughter's pictures of her visit to Moscow! Would be interesting to find out if you are related to those princesses.
ReplyDeleteShe has had a wonderful time there with the people treating her very warmly and making her feel very welcome. She told me that the office was quite beautiful and she was impressed with the cleanliness of the city and how well the buildings and parks are maintained. Also, her hotel was very modern with lots of heat and hot water! It's fun and fantasy to think those princesses are in my husbands lineage although his ancestral family does hail from the Russian town of Smolensk. I guess anything is possible!
Deletethe Bunny is too good..very stylish work.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Ashok!
DeleteThe title of your wonderful painting has me interested. Jack Toovey? A gift - so does the title mean anything to your lucky friend in England?
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed seeing all the pics but fascinated by your surname being the same as the princesses. Those royal names were never watered down in those days. It appears you most likely come from good stock! Hope you splurge on finding out.
Yes, it does have meaning for my friend! She will be surprised as well and I hope it makes her smile!
DeleteI doubt if we will pursue investigating my husband's surname - he is much more interested in the future than the past!
I think you should definitely look into where your name comes from, sounds very exciting . Your bunny looks happy and lively , wonderful work as always.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jane - we will likely just hold onto the fantasy - rather than have to face the bubble bursting!
DeleteI loved the pink nose and focused eyes - the body is in energetic action whilst the eyes stay calm and focused .... 'er ... Your Royal Highness.
ReplyDeleteHa! Ha! My husband is asking me to call him Your Majesty and I am just now learning how to curtsy!
DeleteThe real bunny has a rather lack luster nose but I made is a shocking pink to give him some style (perhaps he is suffering from hay fever?).
Beautiful motion in your bunny, Susan! And I love your photos...your daughter is not only beautiful but SO lucky for the opportunity to be working in Amsterdam!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's so interesting to have your DNA tested to see where our Ancestors come from. My sister had it done so I don't have to and it's really something that everyone should do..
Thank you, Hilda - she is very delighted to have the opportunity to live and work abroad. She has been there over 2 years now and I miss her terribly. I don't think I will ever get used to her being so far away. Perhaps some day we will investigate the surname of Smolensky further - who knows! Kimberly tells me there is also a Smolensky Diamond Mine in Russia - perhaps I should plan a trip there!
Deletelovely bunny for dear friend ,loved it's motion.
ReplyDeletemy son though lives in the same country but quite from for us 8 hours drive from our town .first he went for studies on scholarship then he found job ..he only visits us on events are holidays .
next year he is leaving for Germany for masters .i am so happy that he is living a successful life and exploring the world ..
i can imagine your excitement for meeting your daughter ,she is a pretty young lady .
Russia is wonderful but seems quite cold land in photos .
these paintings are marvelous
Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting, Baili. It seems that you and I are are experiencing the same emotions regarding how far away our children are. We bring them up to be independent and strong and then when they fly away we are forlorn! Life is so complex! I am counting the days until she arrives home!
DeleteHi Susan. What a wonderful painting of this Hare. It's amazing how you bring alive these Animals.. as I said amazing. All the best my friend.
ReplyDeleteVic
You are so kind, Vic - many thanks!
DeleteDag Susan, je konijn is echt mooi weergegeven, het heeft haast om bij je vriendin te komen....fantastich hoe jij die beweging kan benadrukken in je werk. mooie foto's ook !
ReplyDeletegroetjes van Simonne
Yes, he is in a hurry to get to his new home! Thank you for such a nice comment, Simonne!
DeleteWell, hello there, Princess Smolensky! That would be cool to follow up on your ancestry.
ReplyDeleteYour bunny is phenomenal!! I imagine him to be about 6 feet tall, galloping along through the long grass. You always bring such power and movement to you animal works. Love the bunner, Susan!!!
Kathryn
6 feet tall - imagine that! He does have power and presence - as he hurries to his home in England! Many thanks for stopping by, Kathryn and I hope you and Bruno are doing well!
Deleteearlier of the predicted transport date in your child's car seat. Your automobile seat will likely be used every day, so that you need one that is appealing to you visually. simply recollect, the cute pink print isn't what's going to shield your infant. For more ==== >>>>>> http://musclegainfast.com/max-testo-xl/
ReplyDelete