First, the poem--read in the eighties--it was on the upper right-hand page of a book or read in a dream (that happens). Googling the lines has not helped; hopefully someone else saw it:Because my eyes were smiling, you didn't know I cried.
Because my feet were dancing, you didn't know I died.
Because my feet were dancing, you didn't know I died.
So far there are two sketches; the first using a very loose armature of the rectangle; for the second I used Corel to draw the rectangle and printed it on regular copy paper (added a bit of water to the pencil--made it crinkly). I usually paint without a real plan so these may not resemble the finished painting-- if it becomes reality.
All the sweet potatoes at the grocery store have been studied, and the bronze shoes came from my plumber's yard sale seven years ago. I don't have a Saarinen side table, but I have one of his chairs.
It was almost part of a series--Me and My Chairs. Wearing just my uniform white socks and black Croc sandals, I'd hold my chairs upside-down--Saarinen, Eames, Wegner, the Siesta Chair and a Morris Chair (and borrow other moderns from my brother). Maybe one day.
All the sweet potatoes at the grocery store have been studied, and the bronze shoes came from my plumber's yard sale seven years ago. I don't have a Saarinen side table, but I have one of his chairs.
It was almost part of a series--Me and My Chairs. Wearing just my uniform white socks and black Croc sandals, I'd hold my chairs upside-down--Saarinen, Eames, Wegner, the Siesta Chair and a Morris Chair (and borrow other moderns from my brother). Maybe one day.
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Hi Hallie, I like how your sweet potato and shoes illustrate this poem so beautifully. You have a sharp and fascinating mind! Interesting me and my chairs!
ReplyDeleteHallie, Please take this as the compliment it is intended to be. You are the most unique and eclectic person I have had the pleasure of getting to know. You keep me on my toes with you wit, your insight and your imagination.
ReplyDeleteThese sketches are great and they actually make sense to me based on the poem. I would NEVER have imagined putting these elements together.
I wanted to be your hero and find the source of your poem, but alas, I have failed you!
-Don
Hallie - I totally "connect" with your art!! The concepts are wonderful, unique and meaningfual. Your compositions are well-constructed and decisive. Memborable ....
ReplyDeletePeggy, thanks. Your comments on blogs I follow are always interesting.
ReplyDeleteDon, What can I say? You're the one who keeps us guessing. Following your paintings is like studying a good book.
Kathy, your comments mean a lot. It was in your blog that I read about the armature of the rectangle. That led me to think about structure for the sweet potato shoots. This sketch only took about 30 years to fit the pieces together. (When my mother died in 2002, I found forgotten sweet potatoes growing in my kitchen, clinging to life, and couldn't throw them out.) Now they remind me of people.
And, Don, you are a hero for looking, and for sharing what you know about art!
ReplyDeleteThere's a huge mood different between these two. I like the first best although it looks like an vegetable octopus waking up after a long sleep. I'm wondering how you would go about handling the backs of the heads in the second. I composed one very simialar once but um, stopped!
ReplyDeleteHallie, I stopped by this morning before work and didn't have time to comment. Not being very familar with ALL of the genres of art that you delve in... I can tell you that this thread is right up my FAVORITE art alley! I love this kind of expression and you have captured it so well. It is the kind of art I hope to do someday. Me and My Chairs would make a great series! Perhaps you could do one every now and then until you had the full collection. Awesome post as usual Hallie!!
ReplyDeleteHi Mark. You're right, I noticed that the top one looks a bit like a large dog tick with feelers. Later I realized the potato should be above the table.
ReplyDeleteGood question about handling the backs of the potato heads--they were added at the last minute (after playing with potatoes & light for at least an hour) and should be in shadow. Unlike you and Kathy--I just jump in and start painting; I'll have potatoes and bronze shoes on hand, a light, and maybe some rectangles drawn on the canvas.
When it's finished, it most likely will not match either of these sketches.
Thanks, Pamo. I'm not sure what genre this fits into, but sweet potatoes (some with shoots) are lying on my dining table. The good part is that no one asks why. I do think the folks at the grocery store are beginning to wonder; I hold a potato up and check it from all angles--some look too much like animals. If I'm asked, I'll say I'm checking the vibes.
ReplyDeleteThe chairs were fun; I just imagined what they'd look like upside-down--I sketched about five. It would be a fun series; don't know how I could hide behind the small chairs.
You can do this--I think if I have any talent (I'm not sure there is such a thing), it's in seeing connections; i.e. potatoes remind me of Henry Moore sculptures.
Thought provoking ideas! I can see your history as a sculptor in these drawings.
ReplyDeleteDitto to the other comments regarding your wit, sharp and fascinating mind, unique and eclectic person.
Indigomar, thanks. I'm still working on that dream analysis. Dreaming of cranes is definitely better than dreaming of reading newspapers--I seem to read articles that contain lots of prepositions; occasionally a poem.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of poems, I forgot to say that I like the poem alot. I wish we could find out who wrote it...
ReplyDeleteI want to say it was by Rumi; I just can't find any of the lines with Google. And it's possible my version is not accurate--I like it, anyway. I'll attribute it to Unknown.
ReplyDeleteThis is what I love about blogging. You never know when you open a blog what delight someone's mind offers up. I'm with Don on his compliment. Your mind works in wonderful ways.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Margaret. I guess we all work in layers.
ReplyDeleteLike so many others I really enjoy reading your blog and your comments! I scrolled down to read the posts I missed and saw you have lost two friends. I'm sorry. I've been lucky so far - haven't lost anyone I love except my Father. Hoping 2010 is your year. According to a FengShui book it's supposed to be my year !!
ReplyDeleteHi Sue. I have Feng Shui books, too. I thought that dealt with furniture placement, chimes, globes, lack of clutter, and Chi (and I love saying Feng Shui). According to my numerology book, last year was one of my good ones, but the numbers changed in October. This will be a year of endings for me and I'll begin a new nine-year cycle Oct. 2010.
ReplyDelete