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OCTOBER 2004

Intergenerational: An Occasional Series on Relationships Between Children and Grandparents
by Pola Rosen, Ed.D.

Leah Gittelman is a freshman at Bucknell. During her first week of classes she sent her grandmother, artist Marilyn Weiss in New York City, an essay she wrote on “something I respond to aesthetically.” “Hey Nana,” she wrote, “hope you enjoy it. I love you.”

Nana’s Flair
It is the intricate layers of paper that draw me to my grandmother’s painting. Each hand-made piece of paper placed ever so carefully in each location make the painting what it is. She puts a countless variety of papers into her work. Ranging from simple solid paper to acrylic painted, from numerous fabrics to ones with photo transfers, each paper has a “Nana flair.” No material is placed on the painting without intense thought  about the best spot for it.

I can see scattered around the painting my face as well as my brother’s. From infancy to now you can see us growing up right in front of you. The painting is not just a photo album. The pictures are in no specific sequence and hold no more value than the next. They each are unique and special in their own way. What makes my Nana’s painting so difficult to describe, when made to explain at great detail, is that one cannot “nit-pick” or disassemble the painting. One must simply admire it for the big picture and then first begin to see its smaller entities.

Each painting can stand alone, strong and magnificent. Capturing the viewer’s eye, forcing it to notice layer upon layer of colors, fabrics, and paper. Soon you see the pictures hidden in the array of various mediums.

The pictures allow the person to learn a little about the artist. For me seeing the pictures, each strong in their individuality, gives me a feeling of closeness to my grandmother. However, any person who takes even a second to look at her paintings can instantly feel a connection to her.

Grandma’s Response
As soon as I stop crying I will show this to the world. You make me so proud of you and so proud of what you think of me. I love you so much and I’m so thrilled that you love me like that too. You make me feel young, and that we can relate so completely. That’s quite a gift you give me everyday. I love you always.#

If you would like to contribute to this column, please email Dr. Pola Rosen at ednews1@aol.com. You may also send photos.

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