Mimi Torchia Boothby

It seems that we have a family tradition, it is old time music. Donald’s mother remembers her own grandfather playing fiddle tunes. My son is lucky enough to own the fiddle he played them on.
Little did we know that so many years ago that old time music would bring so many different parts of our family together and provide a common language across the generations. A little Irish, a little Appalachian, a little gospel, and a little northwest can describe this kind of music – mostly instrumental, with a few songs thrown in. This painting shows cousins and a grand-daughter; they know the same tunes.

Due to the hiring and layoff rhythms where I work, about 10 years ago we were at a strange place, where everyone in our group was close to 40 or older.  It was depressing to see the  the most important age group  missing here.  With the advent of the 787 programs we finally started getting some new blood again, young idealistic engineers, full of enthusiasm, new ideas, and, well; youth.  For every 2 new engineers that join our company, it seems like one leaves. They go to better jobs, they leave because they hate our climate, they get married to someone with stronger ties somewhere else.  Kevin left to go back to Stanford – to learn how to create. I’m sure he’ll end up with a great job somewhere when he finishes, but we’ll miss him for sure.

This year the raspberries weren’t too great, the figs were a terrible disappointment, but we have plums! They are also called Italian Prunes. Now why would someone paint Italian Prunes? It came to me in a dream. I was frustrated because my paintings haven’t been inspiring me lately, and so I dreamed that my husband suggested I paint plums because they’re simple. I’m here to tell you that they are NOT really that simple, but it was a joy to paint them.  Next; a portrait!

A fun way to paint little kitties is to use a very small piece of watercolor paper to paint them on.  Next, you stuff the paintings into a tiny little frame. PRESTO!  These particular kitties are being donated to an auction to benefit Feral Cats, but if you want one, I can make one for you too! (Let me know)