LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Always Sunny at Our House

We knew we wanted a large metal scupture for our fireplace in the great room.




We didn't know what we wanted but we knew we would recognize it when we saw it.  Our daughter and I were taking some trips around and about and we saw some beautiful work done by Grace Cathey from nearby Haywood County.  We decided to visit her with photographs of the fireplace and get some ideas.

Our house is an eclectic grouping of things we like.  Antiques sit right along contemporary or modern pieces.  We have no "theme;" we collect what we love.  The more we talked with Grace, the more convinced we became that a large brass sun would be the perfect art work for our fireplace.  She made some drawings and we selected one we liked.  There was only one stipulation...the eyes had to be just right.

[NOTE:  This requirement comes from my hating a very large stain glass window in our church.  Jesus is about fourteen feet high.  He is lovely except for his eyes.  HIS EYES ARE REALLY CREEPY!  I call it "Creepy Jesus."]

Grace assured us the eyes would look upon us kindly or she would redo them as often as necessary.

My very clever and handy husband make a mock-up with cardboard and newspaper to determine the size of the sculpture.


We commissioned the sun in July and were assured we would have it by late autumn.  Alas, our artist received a big request from the NC Arboretum so our sun took a backseat.

Finally, the sun was completed this spring and now hangs cheerfully looking down at us.  We moved the mantle clock and decided to go with large pillar candles since they didn't detract from the sun.





We just love it.  And the eyes are not creepy at all.


So now, even on the worst winter days, we will have sunshine in our home.  Here is a link to Grace's Website.

21 comments:

Rudee said...

In a word...Gorgeous!

You definitely brought the outdoors inside.

Ms. A said...

LOVE the rock on your fireplace! She did a good job, the eyes aren't creepy at all.

animal lover, quilt lover said...

I love your whole house that I have seen in pictures that is!! Love your sun too! She did a great job! It looks elegant.......
xx, Fern

Anonymous said...

Love it! What a beautiful room!

Karin said...

What a beautiful room with the many windows and the outside sun streaming in! This gorgeous piece of art looks stunning on your fireplace.

LOVE, MERCY AND GRACE...GOD'S GRACE said...

How gorgeous...the room, fireplace, the sun! A room that would draw you in, I feel.

Beautiful!

~Beth

kks said...

What a beautiful room! Love the sculpture!
Yes, continued drama in Madison.....the collective bargaining law goes into effect today....recall!
xoxo

Vicki Lane said...

Lovely! A beneficent looking sun!

Anonymous said...

That's really quite beautiful.

Jayne said...

Very nice with very pleasant eyes!

Sharon said...

Your sun is beautiful! I love it!
Thanks for stopping by my blog today.

Anonymous said...

This turned out to be a nice fit for your room. And I like the treatment on the piece too.

How Sam Sees It said...

Wow! Very beautiful!

Sam

Pat said...

Beautiful! I love her work.

Barb said...

Your new sun sculpture is so happy-looking! I wouldn't mind her gazing down on me. Happy Belated Birthday to Ellie. Hope you all have a wonderful 4th weekend.

Anonymous said...

Perfect! I love the facial features. A wonderful choice; you should definitely have a cheeky sculpture.

It would be hard to look at that without smiling.

Speaking of Creepy Jesus, have you seen the picture of Kudzu Jesus in Kinston? Can't spray Roundup on Jesus, the guy says.

troutbirder said...

What a neat idea and fantastic result. :)

D.K. Wall said...

Grace's work is superb and we love looking at it. That sun is perfect.

And, if you were at Grace's shop in downtown Waynesville, you were just a block from our vet.

100 Thoughts of Love said...

she is right..they are very kind eyes!

Busy Bee Suz said...

Oh wow. I love this as well. Great choice.
Plus, how creepy would it be to look at creepy eyes ALL the time??? Could not be good....

Folkways Note Book said...

A beautiful piece of artwork. I've always admired sun sculptures. When I look at your photo, I see an eclectic sun. I would say that it would match your furnishing as you state that you have both antique and contempory -- barbara