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| Historic ACEO? |
I live in a small, history rich Virginia town. George Washington slept here; in fact he grew up right across the bridge at Ferry Farm. I’ve lived here for almost my whole life and it was a wonderful place to grow up. Like most small towns, everyone knew everyone else. The main street held all the stores in the area, dept. stores, drug stores, and soda fountains. For entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights teenagers cruised the strip. (Another name for the main street) Or they went to one of two theaters that had been there since they invented movies. At Christmas the whole town seemed to become a fairyland out of a currier and Ives print.
Alas, time does not stand still. Developers arrived and the town changed. A mall detoured shoppers and teens alike from downtown to many stores and a multiplex. The Hot Shoppe’s where we ate our Mighty Mos, became a quick stop gas station. One theater became a church and the other an antique store. . The Farmers and Merchants bank is now a museum, literally. The Department stores moved and in their wake stores cropped up that specialized in all sorts of off the wall items. Do you have a hankering for some Va. Honey? No problem its in the made in Va. Store. Want a shirt that says I love my cat, there’s a store for that too. How about something from the Emerald Isle? We have it and you won't have to fly anywhere. Houses crowded out woods in cookie cutter subdivisions and no one knew anyone else or even cared.
Funny but when I drive through town, I can still see things they way they used to be.
Although when a town has been in business as long as this one has there is bound to be a lot of changes.
The theme for Creative Tuesdays this week is storefronts. This ACEO in acrylic is of old brick building in the historic district that is now a hair salon…it started its life as a restaurant. (Before I was born of course) Anyway in my dining room I have framed the old advertisement for the original restaurant…and its menu! Check out these prices!
Know anywhere I can get a Porterhouse steak for $1.25?
Be sure to check out all the other great artists and their storefronts at Creative Tuesdays
Awww. I hate it when developers come and tear down the beautiful towns. Isn't there enough area to build on???
ReplyDeleteYour ACEO is gorgeous!!!!!
xxDaniella
I agree with Daniella, both about developers and your ACEO. It is just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteBut as much as it hurts to see old town's torn down it hurts even more to see acres of land turned into subdivisions or shopping malls. SO sad.
Great aceo and interesting story! Love the prices! Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteWonderful story and wonderful drawing! Makes me want to visit your town!!!
ReplyDeleteSmiles
What a wonderful painting, and the story and historical facts are so interesting. How the faces of storefronts and town change.
ReplyDeleteLove you post...excellent way to share the theme.
I love this, a great entry and some history. Art and history are my favorite subjects.
ReplyDeleteQMM
What a brilliant painting, and in a small size as well, and so detailed. I love all the history behind this as well. We tend to forget how places looked many years ago.
ReplyDeleteour town has a lot of old buildings such as yours,, great history,, I love the menu from the eatery,, beautiful,what a great art piece,
ReplyDeleteWonderful painting...and a glorious trip down Memory Lane.
ReplyDeleteGreat painting and wonderful story. It reminds me of the town I grew up in. I think most of the country was like that at some point in time. My mom was always telling stories about how things were when she was growing up, and now I see that it's something we all end up doing. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteYour storefront looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI love the black and white pictures and all the info about the town.
Dee
That really is an amazing art piece. so detailed and of course your craftsmanship is superb again. It must have taken you AGES to do this! It really is beautiful too as above said. :)
ReplyDeleteBTw, the history lesson was wonderful too. nice write up. Love that and the menus too. LOL
Love your post.... oh those were the days... I miss that friendly shop low prices days...
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful! I love the old picture, menu and story behind it! Darn developers!
ReplyDeleteI love the aceo Crystal and I love the pictures of the old menus! I know things have to advance, but in some ways I don't think it's for the better! Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful and nostalgic picture. Memories ... You've been seeing as amended, but I went and when I returned, was another. And what happens to me to you, when I walk, I also see what was previously linked to my experiences. Greetings
ReplyDeleteCrystal,
ReplyDeletethis is so well done. I love historic brick buildings...you really captured this so well...i like how you do your brick work!!!!
I love the menu too! fun! milk toast....yummy. that's cool that you have it framed, I like that idea as well! have a great night!
Wonderful painting and story...Loved the old menus.thanks for visiting me today. gerri :)
ReplyDeletebeautiful post, beautiful painting!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful little aceo! The menus were fun to see, too.
ReplyDeleteI like it very much!
ReplyDeleteCrystal, how neat it must be to live in a town with so much history. I love your new ACEO. Well done!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful ACEO! I love this historic building. So it was a filling station and dining room? LOL, I hate filling station food, but their menu was quite tasty looking. Great prices for a porterhouse stea, and how about those lamb chops?
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your story--what a wonderful place to grow up! Nice aceo!
ReplyDeleteThis story is so sad and I really appreciate your wistful tone in telling it; it's reminiscent without dwelling too much in the tragedy brought on by less-than-desirable change. I love Virginia and didn't know you live so close to Ferry Farm! That's awesome. I hope you'll do more historical-themed paintings in the near future. :3 Virginia is definitely one of the most historically rich states in the US. It's my second favorite (beat only by NY, which is only my favorite because I live there, haha!); I just adore those old brick homes and the beautiful countryside. Can't get enough of history! Beautiful piece up there. Just drawing bricks is a pain; I'm so impressed that you painted this tiny thing! It looks fantastic. :D
ReplyDelete