Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Mom and Maggie

Like so many of you who read this, I'm really enjoying the second season of the PBS series Downton Abbey. Bill and I have always been in love with Upstairs Downstairs, which ran in the 70's. He introduced me to the series when we were dating and we've watched it many times since then. You might remember that our cats Rosie and Angus are named after Angus Hudson, the butler, and Rose Buck the maid from Upstairs.
Part of what I like so much about Downton is watching Maggie Smith in the roll of the Dowager Countess. My husband first noticed her resemblance to my mother in her later years, and certain facial expressions bring up fond memories and even laughter as we remember my mum.




These photos aren't the best to show this, but be assured that seeing Maggie in this role has my late mother on my mind lately even more than ever! 

I've decided to do a portrait or two of my mom, inspired by the style of my newest muse, Henri Matisse.
And I'll have my first draft, in cut paper, on my blog Friday, thanks to Karen at Sew and Sow Life, who invited her readers to articulate something they would like to accomplish by Friday. A little accountability can be a very good thing!

Hope you are having an excellent week!

12 comments:

amanda white said...

Hi Judy,
Another fan here. Maggie steals all the scenes. Quite sure your mother wasn't so scarey!
Loved your junk mail image - great idea, great image.

Libby Fife said...

Oh dear! The resemblance is uncanny:)

We like that series too but haven't started the second season yet, though it is recorded.

Can't wait to see what you have going for Friday:)

Judy Hartman said...

Thanks Amanda and Libby! I should have mentioned that their personalities could not be more different, although my mum did have a wry sense of humor and a definite twinkle in her eye! She was a sweetheart!

Karen L R said...

Thanks for the shout out, Judy!

When I was a tween, I used to run down the driveway to my GrammieLowry's to watch Upstairs Downstairs. I think of her every time I tune in to Downton Abbey.

Your Mom does share a certain something with the amazing Maggie Smith!

Anonymous said...

I definitely see the resemblance. Good luck with your cut paper portrait. ((hugs)) on missing your Mom.
Stay inspired!

Davy C said...

It really does look like her...

sharon said...

Sweet photos of your mom, Judy. I like your idea of doing a paper portrait of her inspired by your muse.
Been thoroughly enjoying Downton Abbey. Never did see Upstairs Downstairs, so think I'll order it from the library, thank you.
I have loved Maggie Smith forever. She is a consummate professional. Her son is a fine actor as well, gorgeous, and plays Mr. Rochester in my favorite version of Jane Eyre.

Shell said...

Wow...your mom does resemblance Maggie Smith.

Anonymous said...

Hello Judy,

You are very creative and you do beautiful things with papers and fabric. I like very much your collages.
I am a regular follower of Beverly's blog.

Gwen said...

Funny how we come across these resemblances. My dad was very like David Niven:)
xxx

Heather said...

I love love LOVE Downton Abbey too and make my husband watch it with me, (well, he's pretty willing!) how fun that Maggie has such a striking resemblance to your mother! The things the Dowager Countess says on that show cracks me up. She always hits right on the heart of things :) looking forward to seeing your portraits!

Alice said...

I'm also a huge fan of Downton Abbey. And, yes, wow, do I ever see your mother in Maggie! But I agree that your mother has a sweeter, less acerbic, look than does Maggie Smith, at least in this part. See you are trying a paper portrait first. Didn't realize that when I posted about the resulting portrait. I thought it was fabric! Do you plan to make a fabric one based on the paper one!