Watercolour Postcards to My Grandma

Sketching watercolour postcards

Before Easter, I told my grandma we were going away for a few days. She said ‘Have a good time’, ‘Be CAREFUL’ (whatever your age Grandmas remain Grandmas) and ‘Make sure you send me a postcard’. Of course, I replied yes to all three.

A few days later I remembered a box of unused watercolour postcards, I’d bought ages ago and never used. I dug the postcards out – it turned out I’d had it so long that the tin was rusty on the outside. Nevertheless, the cards inside were in good condition and I had a plan.

Old fashion mail

My Grandparents are in their late 80s and live in a rural community, hundreds of miles away – so we don’t visit very often. As they grow older they go out less and less and are quite isolated. I hadn’t bought or sent a postcard in years, but I had 30 postcards in a rusty tin begging to be used. Why not draw and paint on those postcards and send them to my grandma?

Not just while on holiday, but throughout the year too. Maybe they would brighten up her life a little. They could be something to look forward to when opening the letter box (better than bills and junk mail). For me, it would be an opportunity to sketch more. I was also taken by the old fashion charm of the project in our digital age.

The first postcards

Here are the first few postcards.  Although I broke my ankle at Easter and this has limited my outings,I have enjoyed painting them and my Grandma enjoyed receiving them. My ankle is getting better and I am now looking forward to more varied subject matters!