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The Emotion of Passing
Mono no aware is a Japanese term reflecting the poignant awareness of the impermanence of people, objects and seasons. It is the savoring of cherry blossoms, knowing those delicate blooms will pass in a matter of days. It is the awe and sadness of autumn trees, knowing their leaves will soon to fall to the earth. It is the realization that this might be the last time – The last bowl of soup you share with your aging mother, the last time your baby will suckle at your breast. That emotion inspired my process in a series of paintings. Beauty in Brokenness [tryptich of 3 pots of flowers – 24×24 each]…
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The Mona Lisa Smile
I viewed the Mona Lisa at the Louvre in Paris in 1973. Like most, I was intrigued by that smile. There is a back story, of doubtful authenticity, but it could be. Purportedly, Mona Lisa had been grief stricken at the loss of a child… but, as the story goes, she had given birth again just prior to sitting for DaVinci for this now famous painting. That smile, enigmatic and gripping, does reflect complex emotions that indeed could be due those profoundly impactful events – the loss of one child and the subsequent birth of another. The human experience is fraught with complex emotions… every moment of joy is tempered…
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Children Creating
Experiencing the artistic process, forges the paths that lead to other discoveries in all disciplines. It primes the mind for breakthroughs in science, literature, math, carpentry and cooking… My eldest grandchild, Vivian, 10, was fascinated with creating art. Her interest has morphed into designing and building structures and writing books, for hours on end. Winona, 6, has always been and remains driven to paint and draw. Millie, 4, dabbles, but has a great sensibility and is adept at discerning images in random lines and shapes – pareidolia. Together they run a Wildlife Refuge [Among other things, they compassionately capture and relocate Chipmunks from under our deck to the woods behind the…
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No Regret
“No Regret” is among my first attempts to create meaningful art. I was 55 years old when I began to draw and paint. It was my means of processing the grief and regret I felt at losing my brother, Charles Haines. He was in his prime… a beloved father of 5; an artist, classically trained. When we were but kids, he told me that I had an artist’s eye. I decided to finally believe him. I saw a photograph of an old woman looking out a window. Her spirit reminded me of the scripture-loving women in my life – my mom, Alice, my husband’s grandma, Martha and my own, Alice…
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Fully Present, Women.
I am drawn to painting and photographing those mundane moments fully present, unencumbered. Lost in thought.Savoring Simplicity. Here, Now.
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Golden Paint Devotee
I was blessed to tour the Golden Paints facility with none other than Barbara Golden. Mark and his wife, Barbara are the heirs and current owners of Golden Paints. I am, now, officially a Golden paints/medium devotee. [Subscribe to their newsletter here.] The seed of the company was sown in the 1930s when Sam Golden joined his uncle Leonard Bocour, in a paint company called Bocour Artist Colors. At the time, they produced hand-ground oil colors for artists. Their store in Manhattan became a hangout for artists. Notable art icons such as Barnett Newman, Mark Rothko, Willem de Kooning, Jackson Pollock, Helen Frankenthaler, Knox Martin[2] and Jack Levine would get paint there. Their illustrious history is worth exploring, but the…
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Still, Still with Thee
I was inspired by a hauntingly beautiful poem, penned by Abolitionist, Harriet Beecher Stowe – but the painting is a tribute to Harriet Tubman, who escaped slavery, but chose to go back and lead others out. Still, Still with theeWhen purple morning breaketh;When the bird waketh;and the darkness flee. Fairer than morning.Lovelier than the daylight,Dawns the sweet consciousness.I am with thee. The painting evolved… Below is one of the earlier stages of the painting still on the easel… It didn’t reflect the austerity of the travelers, or at least as I imagined it. If you have a chance, watch the movie Harriet, about Ms. Tubman. So very moving.
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Paul Guiragossian
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Cici
Do you have a friend who spurs you on to love, good works and creativity? Cherish them. Cici was mine. She was a gifted photographer. When she visited from Charleston, we would go on, what we called, “extreme posing excursions” We would stage crazy pictures and laugh til we cried. I lost Cici a few years ago. She passed away from a rare and mysterious disease called Progressive supranuclear palsy. PSP is a degenerative disease that kills the brain leading to loss of balance, slowing of movements and difficulty moving the eyes. It came on suddenly. She mentioned having trouble moving her left hand. I noticed her gait was slightly…
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Vincent. I get it.
