Aunt Marie
Meet my Aunt Marie!
On that day of September 4th Aunt Marie was celebrating her 85th birthday. And we all were there helping her. What fun it was! And how tasty! Many wonderful returns to you, Aunt Marie!
Aunt Marie is from Italian branch of my family. This reminds me how at Dr. Goldberg’s outing there was a trivia discussion about what to eat where in Chicago. “Where do you go for the best hot dogs?” We didn’t know and were informed of a hot dog stand on a corner of Devon and Milwaukee. “Where do you go for the best pizza?” and a pizzeria downtown was named. “Where do you go for the best Italian?” That we knew. “You go to Aunt Marie’s!” my husband and I exclaimed in unison.
Dinners at Aunt Marie’s are epic. You start early, at about 2 in the afternoon, so that you can lie down and rest between changes. Really, after the appetizers (mushrooms stuffed with Italian sausage, breaded artichoke hearts, shrimp cocktail – to name a few) you don’t need any more food for 2 days. But then pasta with red sauce, meatballs and sausage is coming which is just too good to pass. And just when you think that you are done eating for the rest of your life, there is tiramisu and cake and fruit, and men are loosening their belts. After all these years I know not to wear tight jeans to Aunt Marie’s. Then we usually go for a walk to get our tummies settled, but upon return we find the rest of the family at coffee and chocolate and ice cream. And Aunt Marie with her usual question “Do you want to take some food home, my dear?”, this is when she usually wears the expression you see here. We always want to.
Aunt Marie, we love you!
#11 of 40. Graphite, Moleskine Cahier sketchbook
Alex Zonis 
this picture is amazing. looks exactly like her. very expressive. makes me so sorry i had to miss her birthday. we are so lucky to have her in our lives.
Aunt Marie is the loveliest person. Even without her need to feed everybody solid. But add her food to that, and we get a divine combination.
What a wonderful Aunt you have! I can’t cook worth a darn, let alone thinking of preparing meals at 85! Your drawing is full of expression, Alex. This is truly fun to follow. How many will you do for completion? Are they getting easier with each one?
Aunt Marie is very special, that’s for sure. Her portrait is #11 of 40. At least I am hoping for 40 because there are 40 pages in the official sketchbook. Yesterday I felt pretty good about 11 – it is over 10. Today I am working on my 12th, thinking about the remaining 28 and feeling anxious. 28 is a big number. Yes, they seem to be getting easier, but I still have to work hard to keep myself from getting boggled down in details. I love details way too much, sigh…
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I love, love, love Aunt Marie!!!!! And next time she’s making dinner I want to come. Sounds fab and reminds me of my grandma on my father’s side. Growing up she would cook for all of us and the food never stopped coming
This portrait of Aunt Marie is probably one of my faves. Her expression is priceless. She looks kind and wonderful. And I love her hair!
You are outdoing your self.
Aunt Marie is everybody’s favorite, as a person and as a drawing! I think if everybody would have a grandma or an aunt like that, there would fewer emotional problems in our lives. Food equals love, it is simple and obvious :D.
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Alex, I am thoroughly enjoying your Pencil Scribbles. You do such a great job on your quickie portraits.
Judy
Thank you, Judy! Good to see you visit! I am enjoying this kind of quick drawing rather a lot :).