Remember this more than a year ago? A canvas begun from 2 rusty screws found by my sons.
And here again, sitting on my desk in progress this past summer.
I have worked on this small canvas off and on for so long. I had a clear idea of how I wanted it to feel, but no clear picture of how I wanted it to look, and the objects themselves, those two nails, took on a larger and larger mythology in my mind. They represented my two sons themselves, their struggles, the accumulated patina of each passing year of disappointment and triumph, alienation and hard won connection, and the box around them, all the safety my heart yearns to provide. It became too hard to move forward with all of that weight of expectation, and so it sat on a corner of my desk just barely started for months and months. Something clicked during my wonderful Texture Town course with Julie and Chris (which I am not quite finished yet, and am really looking forward to returning to soon), and I finally knew what I wanted to do.
This one is for my sons, and every kid who finds life hard, who starts each day with a heavy weight, who nothing ever seems to come easy for, but who is brilliant and resilient, and exponentially braver than those with lighter loads.
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| "Twice as Hard" 8"x10" mixed media on canvas |
Posts
What a wonderful piece, and a grand dedication to your boys. My son just turned 25 last week...nothing has ever come easy for him, disappointments and triumphs come and go, and thankfully he continues to go forward...although I knew there is no way we could protect him from everything, my Fred and I did our best to nurture a young man to be a good man, a good citizen, a hard worker, and supplied him with the common sense tools for his life tool box...it's what we can do.
ReplyDeleteOh E, it's beautiful even without understanding the symbolism and feeling and love behind it. Knowing that, though, makes it so powerful. Well done and worth the wait. XO
ReplyDeletethis is absolutely beautiful, evangeline. perfect.
ReplyDeleteWell named and beautifully done! So appreciate this piece, as I have grandchildren who carry those heavy loads and are rare and wonderful people for it.
ReplyDeleteYou make me want to paint.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me almost of light switches on the wall, with the nails being the switches in a white potentiality that can lead to even greater brightness.
ReplyDelete*waves pom*
ReplyDeleteLove the texture of the background and the story behind the piece.
ReplyDeleteIts so wonderful to see it come together. Its beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. I have been sitting here for 10 full minutes trying to cobble together a response to express just how uplifted and encouraged I am by every one of your kind comments, meanwhile one of those rare & resilient boys is sitting on the couch chatting, chatting, chatting away about Brothers Grimm fairy tales, violence, celadon pottery, Vikings and Nintendo, and my brain just. can't. do. it. So here is one of those heartie thingies, and a kiss/hug, because that's the best I can do. <3 xo But you all know what I mean right? DEEP gratitude and love to you all. :)
ReplyDeleteVery raw. Old wounds, dried blood, but soldiering on. Wow! I don't know why I haven't checked on here in so long. Fun catching up though. d
ReplyDelete