The expert.

Lots of words with this, just posting it to see if it's viewable. The idea for this came from a trip I made to London with my son, he wanted to see where I lived and grew up. We drove past some shops I knew as a 10 year old, I saw that they had changed...no sweetshop...no butcher...they would change I'm talking about 74 years ago. Two memories about these shops popped into my head. They concerned the shop owners, nothing dodgy, just impressions I formed of them. They were trivial, why does our brain keep these memories? So I read about memories, it seems there are several types, I've mentioned the two most common in my pic. I'll draw some pics about them, but they will have to be wordy, and as they are trivial may not be of much interest to anyone but me...so I may end up just showing whatever I draw without the info.

Why is it Lewis I remember playing and rolling the biggest colourful marble across my Great Grandmother's floor chased by the mouser who practised and honed his skills. I was perhaps four or five at the time. Yet I remember nothing about my Great Grandmother. Anyway you have certainly stirred my memory this morning Lewis. Thanks.

Memory is certainly a strange thing! Maybe the childhood memory retains things that the adult thinks unimportant? I only knew one of my grandparents and what I remember about that one grandfather is the fishpond in his garden and how we used to break the ice in the winter. 🤷‍♀️🤔 Good one Lew, making us think!

Very interesting, Lewis! I am now going through the files in my mind trying to separate the trivia from the more important memories!!

Yes Chris and Tessa, when I read about how memories work, it said if the memory had some interest for you AT THE TIME be it emotive, curious or just plain fun, you'll remember it if not in great detail.

This is great Lewis and also has us all thinking about memories I suspect. Mine are too many to mention in the episodic memory category but also certain smells can instantly take me back to those kind of things too.

I just love this Lewis, and all the words just make it, so do show your others with all the info when you do them. Strangely I can remember the knucklebones I played with as a young child, but not where I put a painting book I want and have been searching for for days!

A very strange thing our memory!

Great artwork Lew and thank you for the explanation it made interesting reading. Now where did I put my iPad so I can answer this mmm memories not as good as it used to be, the odd ones pop up unexpectedly.

What is really odd is the memories you have that when you look into them could not have possibly happened at the time you remember them happening.

Such an interesting and well illustrated piece. I quite often find it is smells that take me back or, considering the theme of my art work, song lyrics and groups of chords played in certain sequences that bring memories of situations or people flooding back.

Great picture Lewis, memory is a funny thing, you can remember what you did decades ago but not last month.🙂

Thanks for making us think Lewis. Memories are the preserve of the old as we become frailer and unable to participate in life physically. It’s good to have some pleasant memories that we tend to remember more than the horrible ones. As mentioned here smell plays a big part and the people who have played a part in our lives. Dreams can also evoke memories and seem so very real. A very philosophical approach to your lovely art Lewis and much appreciated by everyone

Great image and words Lew. I find it sad that we remember nothing before about 4 years old so the great fun we are having with our granddaughter who’s three won’t be remembered by her. I wonder if she’ll have a general feeling that grandma and grandad were fun?

Thanks to all for your feedback, I know some people use phones and i-pads and I wasn't sure all the wordage could be read. It's fine on my desktop PC. It's odd how these ancient memories can pop-up in a conversation, or a trip, or even a smell as people have commented. That's what got me started on this. I'm always thinking of things to draw and as illustration is my main love in art, I like my drawings to be ABOUT something. I realize all art is ABOUT something, be it a portrait or landscape, but to me it's more so in illustration.

Thank You for posting this Lewis. Memories are strange things. We have so many full sized visual memories, where on earth do they all get stored in our tiny little brains? Brilliant posting Lewis.

This is so good Lewis, and very interesting, and yes I can relate to this especially going into a room and thinking, what did I go in there for?

My first memory is of or was of me standing on the railway station, in my little corduroy suit with the smell of a huge steam engine. Chuff, chuff, wow that power. Lovely jubbly.

I like the idea of getting know more about our memory Lewis. Pointing out such things we aren’t considering on daily basis is very important… In my case, whenever I can I do weird things sometime like touching the leaves, just to feel how they alike, or stroking the tree’s bark … The other day while inline skating I’ve had sat down on the grass, resting my back on the tree’s trunk and … And I was watching the heavy city traffic surrounding me… Everyone seemed rushing, whether walking or driving the car, but me, sitting still, relaxing, listening to the noise, enjoying that moment like being suspended within a time frame… For some reason I’m doing it while out skating… I do stop - and suspending myself to watch the busy word around me … Art.

I'm amazed at how little I do remember to be honest. I was obviously there for all my 'memories' so why can't I remember them all?

Our memory is a strange thing isn’t it. My childhood memories are very strong - songs and images from that era take me right back to that time, but as others have said, memory now is a strange thing. A great illustration and interesting words.

I know this so well. You have hit a familiar chord, for sure. Wonderful, as always. Happy New Year!

Well this has proved a winner Lou. Am I in my second childhood yet? I’m beginning to wonder….bad memories fade to an extent ( tho’ we never forget them) some memories stick. I’m sure I remember sitting in my pram…..or is it because I have one of those tiny black and white photos?

Memory is a very strange thing. How do we distinguish, between things that we imagined, dreamed and remembered? A couple of my friends have recently been diagnosed with dementia, where memories come and go, but they seem comparatively happy. Whereas I can’t seem to forget things that would be best forgotten.