Stories from my grandma
I’ve always been told that I have an old soul. I put my hand on my back when I’m talking, I carry candy and coins in my purse, I love a good house robe, and I can read people quickly. I picked up a lot of those mannerisms because of the closeness to my 4 grandmas growing up along with their friends as aunties. I have a lot of memories such as the Friday night fish fries and spades parties. I remember them packing in the car on a Saturday night as they “went down the way.” That’s code for the strip of casinos they frequented in Tunica, Mississippi. I have plenty of kitchen memories helping set the table as my great grandma finished Sunday dinner. I could go on with the sweet moments I cherish with them, but what stuck with me the most was the process of rolling their hair. I have always been sort of like the family’s hair stylist. Putting my creativity into styling hair was just as soothing for me as painting.
After a beauty shop visit, they would have me to grease their scalps and roll their hair tightly with the pink sponge rollers. During these times, the grandmas would talk. I mean talk talk! Telling stories from their childhood, telling other people’s business, and telling random facts about life filled our times together. As I continue to unfold the Genealogy story, those are the moments I pull from the most. I learned a lot about my family which in turn gave me a lot of insight about myself. As I learn more about the flowers that are helping to heal my family’s genetic blood disorder, I’m reflecting on memories from most of our childhoods. The painting Come Roll My Hair began with replications of roses and protea flowers and morphed into a portrait that serves as a family heirloom for generations to come. Beautiful giclee prints are now available from this painting. There are only 50 prints available, and I look forward to sharing it with collectors who love, appreciate and cherish those memories like I do.
Come Roll My Hair is a painting that pays homage to the history of black women as it pertains to our hair and storytelling.
View the story behind the painting here
Medium: Watercolor and ink on watercolor paper
Size: 18 × 24”
All prints are a limited edition number of 50 per size. Each print is signed and numbered by Kris Keys. Paintings are printed on a textured watercolor paper. This includes 1/2” inches around the border for framing. The paper’s weight is 240 gsm and 100% cotton.