Tasha tutor

Life isn't long enough to do all you could accomplish. And what a privilege even to be alive. In spite of all the pollutions and horrors, how beautiful this world is. Supposing you only saw the stars once every year. Think what you would think. The wonder of it!” 
― Tasha Tudor

How could you not love this amazing woman?  I admire her as an artist but more importantly as an accomplished woman who took pride in everyday living. Here is a little about her early years. 

While living in New Hampshire, Tasha increasingly garnered praise and recognition for her charming stories and her pleasing drawings and watercolors, many of which highlighted or incorporated New England scenes or elements. The writings and artwork often featured her family, their animals and birds, the farmstead plus its surrounding gardens and fields, as well as local landscapes and buildings. In 1958, a young Pembroke Welsh Corgi arrived from Great Britain to live with Tasha and her family; the puppy was purchased by son Tom while he was temporarily a student in England. Although Tom had bought the male Corgi for his own, “Mr. B.” became so attached to Tasha (and Tasha to him!) that the Corgi stayed with her for the rest of his life. Numerous Corgis—up to a dozen at any given moment—were to follow, as Tasha decided that she would always have those “beloved” and “smart” creatures in her life.Various working animals plus many pets were added throughout the New Hampshire years. It was during this time period that Tasha instilled in her children an appreciation for living on the land. She also taught them how to celebrate life’s special events as well as the passing of the seasons. Christmas was her favorite holiday, with Valentine’s Day coming in a close second. The family’s seventeen-room home required a significant amount of work to restore and update it. Farming and household expenses plus an expanding family inspired Tasha to begin an additional at-home business endeavor, the Ginger and Pickles Store, which opened its doors in 1949. Occasionally Tasha found time to render additional artwork for customers, all the while improving and expanding her techniques.

In nearly 93 years of life, Tasha imagined, planned for and attained so many worthwhile goals. She succeeded much more often than not. Her aspirations were both large and small, her accomplishments often extraordinary. By the end of her days on earth, Tasha Tudor had gone beyond all expectations in making illustration her lifework. And she had reached that mark gracefully, determinedly and quite wonderfully…at home, in her beloved New England.