Missing Mom Today. Also, Creativity
This is a print she made in 1989--It is a self portrait. I first found this print this summer (three years after her death), when I was getting ready to move. There was a large container underneath her bed with dozens of prints and drawings I had never seen. I was blown away by this image. Mamma loved birds. We often had finches in our home (I still have our last two), and she fed wild birds as well. When I found this box of prints, I was amazed by the number of bird allusions in her work. Painting herself with feathers is particularly telling, I think. Here's one just for fun:
Later, when I got to the garage, I found some of her plates for printing. This piece of paper was wrapped around a blank plate.
My first reaction to this was pure joy--just seeing her handwriting is comforting for me. But I am also moved by her affirmation--by the idea that Mom saw herself as an artist. She was always self-depreciating, and that got in the way of her progress sometimes.
Painting is not something you learn. It is something you do.
I am as much an artist now as I ever will be. Good or bad is not the point--I am not a student who will study & grow up & become an artist someday. I'm an artist now--whatever--
Comments
Have I not mentioned that Joni Mitchell is my personal goddess? I LOVE HER. Little Green is perhaps my favorite song of all time.
Beautiful - thanks for sharing them.
Mrs. T, I ABSOLUTELY think you could replace the word "painting" with the word "writing." In fact, having a partner who is an artist and talking to her about her art has convinced me that the process of composition is much the same thing, no matter what your art.
Oh, and totally random, but I like the warm color of the walls in your office. Sort of a honey or a caramel.
BTW, my maiden name was Jensen!