Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Painting over

I have a few pieces that I started years ago -- and never finished

an abstract that I started around the time Hurricane Charlie hit Florida

a portrait I started when I discovered the ex was shtupping his work-wife -- a friend of mine.

they were started and abandoned.

and

when I look at them -- I can feel the pain drip off of them

they represent rotten times in my life

and

for a long time I felt I should keep them -- although they were sent to the Land of Misfit Paintings (adjacent to it's more famous Land of Misfit Toys sister) to be ignored -- because I felt that they represented  -- hmmm -- a period in my life I guess? -- part of my journey?

and I've made a decision about them

they've had their time

they've served their purpose

they'll never be finished

and

they're not good

not good at all

I might be able to write poems in pain - but I only paint well through joy

and it's time to reclaim them

release them from their prison

and let them become what they should be

just as I'm redesigning my life

I can redesign these canvases

besides -- those buggers are pricey!

I'm very happy with this decision -- and as soon as the temperature drops below 100 today -- I'm off to get started

sfp

4 comments:

  1. I love it. If you don't like it that's great. I have some stuff that I never really liked. People asked for them and I gave them away. I cringe a bit when I see them but they do give someone joy. And it was an opportunity to clear something out.

    But if it just makes you sad, you should paint over them and start again.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think that's wonderful. New life leads to new life...leads to more life and more joy.

    Share the new paintings with us?

    aisha

    ReplyDelete
  3. i think this is fantastic. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. just wicked. fucking. awesome.

    How joyful, to reclaim that part of your life (and save all that cash at the same time?), to say it's had it's time and place and now, dusting it off and clearing the decks..

    i'm thrilled for you!

    nilla

    ReplyDelete