Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Friends We've Never Met

A couple of weeks ago, when I was up to my ears in spring cleaning, we received this beautiful painting in the mail.


This photo of a house in the Ventura Keys, posted a few years ago on Instagram, serendipitously led to an Instagram friendship with the artist, Diane Larson.


 Diane of @dlarsonpaints and Diane Larson Fine Art commented that she thought our boys went to high school together.


Despite our sons (hers is the graduate and mine is the redhead) being friends for over 25 years, we as parents never met. 


7 weeks ago Diane posted this pic of her studio on Instagram and asked me if I recognized the framed piece on the wall - a page torn from Coastal Living Magazine of her happy place -Ventura.


Diane did not know it was one of Steve's paintings until her son Eric asked her if she knew that the painting was done by Josh's dad.


When I learned that the picture was just a magazine page, I asked Steve if he had any more posters and as luck would have it, he had one poster left and it now hangs on Diane's wall on the east coast.


This is an old (somewhat blurry) collage of paintings Steve has done of Two Tree Hill - a Ventura landmark.


So this painting is even more special because Diane called it, Two Tree's, Bahamas style -  she and her husband have been sailing the seas and she's been painting on the boat.


With my company gone and spring cleaning over, I finally had time to create a mantel display worthy of the palm trees.


I love this mantel because it tells our story. 


The shells have been gathered over years and years - this sand dollar (3" across) is one of several we brought back from Costa Rica.


And now, this painting by a friend we have never met, adds to our story.

26 comments:

  1. I love it! What an amazingly sweet serendipitous story! The sons, the fateful IG 'meeting', the two trees connection...SIGH! It's magic!

    Poppy

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  2. Carol,
    What a wonderful story of the circle of life, reconnections, and 7 degrees of separation (2 degrees in your case). Your mantel and header photos all look so fresh and bright.

    Judith

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  3. What a great story!

    Your new mantel look is lovely.

    FlowerLady

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  4. This is one of the few positive things about today's technology: connecting friends who have never met. I have fond memories of all my encounters with all of you, and I hope these relationships go on and on.

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  5. I just love stories like this and I love how your decorations and vignettes tells these wonderful stories!

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  6. The coincidences of life are what make it interesting. Your husband's paintings make it beautiful. Loved this story and the look of your new mantel.

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  7. That connection is just awesome! You two will have to meet in person. The art that you shared back and forth is really special.

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  8. Some of my most special friends these days are those I've not met and your story just warmed my heart. A beautiful post!

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  9. Very cool! Love your mantel ~

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  10. Carol, It seems to be a small world. I love the paintings. Blessings to all, xoxo,Susie

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  11. The mantel is adorable! Your husband is so very talented. Nice to have friends like that.
    Brenda

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  12. Beautiful painting and the story behind it makes it even more special!

    Have a great weekend.

    Judy

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  13. How amazing that you and Diane met through instagram and then discovered other connections too! The picture she sent you was wonderful. Sarah x

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  14. I love this Carol! What a sweet story and such a lovely post. So much to be treasured here. We never know what wonderful surprises tomorrow may hold. What a special mantel and picture. Thank you for sharing and have a beautiful weekend.

    Hugs...
    Tamara

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  15. What a great friendship! I have made friends blogging that I've never met...yet! Love that painting and how it is part of your history now. Hugs!

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  16. What a great story! It really is a small world. Love the mixture of shells and greenery on your mantel.

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  17. Great story Carol! I love it when things like that happen.

    Have a great weekend!

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  18. I absolutely love stories like this. Warms the heart and sends a tingle down the spine! Jackie

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  19. I love this story about your friend you've never met. Her artwork is sweet and perfect for the spot on your mantel which looks so pretty grouped with the starfish and other shells. What a delightful friendship across the miles! Have a beautiful weekend.

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  20. This is just awesome Carol. It is so amazing how we find each other in this big world. What a great story.
    Love the mantel too. So pretty and love that it is full of wonderful memories. Happy Friday.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  21. What a cool story!!! I love the connection --it just goes back to that :"6 steps from"....doesn't it? I love that you sent her a poster and that she sent you the really sweet two palms picture.
    Hope you have a wonderful weekend- xo Diana

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  22. This is a wonderful story and I'm sure you'll treasure the painting and the memories it is linked to.

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  23. Oh Carol, what a wonderful story. To think the boys were friends back in HS.
    Love the painting and your mantle is stunning.

    Mary

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  24. What a great gift and the story behind it makes it even more beautiful. I am always amazed at how life brings everything around eventually. Your mantle is beautiful.

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