Week 24 - Artistic - Sheridan

Being an artist or being artistic can be defined in so many ways. I am not an artist, but I am a crafter. But I don't think I would ever have an item be displayed in an art museum or a gallery. Tho' I have been highlighted in a genealogy magazine and also a cross-stitch magazine. But we do have many people in the family who are creative. 

We all grew up with the stories about Uncle Don (Gray) who was married to Grandpa Sheridan's sister Thresa Sheridan. He wasn't a 'blood relative' but was still an integral part of our family.

Uncle Don was born 18 May 1891 in Ashley, Gratiot County, Michigan. He was the oldest of two children of Guy and Josephine (Campbell) Gray. He enlisted in the Navy in 1908 and although he was a talented cartoonist, he served his country first and then spent a few years as the writer of the Ma Skinner cartoon promoting the sale of US Bonds to back the war. Those cartoons were a part of the Lansing State Journal newspaper.  Don also painted many barn signs around the area. He married Aunt Tressie 14 Sept 1914 in Carson City, Michigan. They were the parents of five children. Mom told me once that he was her favorite uncle because he always smiled, was always happy and she loved that he would play Little Brown Jug on the squeezebox.

Lansing State Journal 19 April 1919 Front page

Just outside our immediate family is a friend I made many years ago doing Sheridan research. His name is Christopher Sheridan, and he lives in Canada. Chris is who did the most work to uncover that our Sheridan's came from Clonkovid, Cavan, Ireland. (I connect with Chris about 5 generations back) He is also a sculptor and painter and sells his art creations. He's not immediate family, but he is still family to me.

Christopher Sheridan - Sheridan's Sculptures

My cousin Jenn is a developing artist, mainly using pencils. My sister Mickie was and is a remarkable sewer who has made many clothes and costumes for plays. Grandma Sheridan often dabbled in paint by number pictures, and my daughter Laura enjoys doing that also.  My niece Jenna has an artistic flair doing hair as a stylist, my cousin Katie is a published author and great-niece Sophia can create a meal or a dessert to rival the best. 

Many people are creative, inventive and original. All artists in their own right.

Barbie




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