Freedom makes me think of summers of youth. Released from school, we abandoned our books and our shoes. Our clothes were light and water was our element. We played outside before breakfast and after dinner. We ate ripe juicy peaches from the tree. You have to resent it a little, being grown up. But children have another perspective. Several years ago, my son observed that grown-up people waste what they have. What do you mean? I asked. He said, you have money and cars; you could do anything. So this is a reminder. Responsibility and domesticity are choices. As long as a heart beats in me and I have the means to pick up and go, I am free. Possibility beckons. Mad adventure waits.
Although I have to admit this looks a little unfinished, it was my plan all along to simplify. An exercise of artistic freedom. This painting was done for the Calypso Moon Artist Movement challenge.
Let me check the link after commenting! As soon as I saw this, the word POWER came to my mind. I like the idea of just tossing the key bunch on the notes and that tells a big story! Yes, exactly, who is stopping..where there is a will there is way:-)
ReplyDeleteMuch applause Barbara. Yes, this was (is) freedom for me too. I remember those summers, and I remember being young/carefree. Before the responsibilities of "grownups" gathered on my back & shoulders. I am working on a similar theme also. Very good work!
ReplyDeleteI love the simplicity of this.
ReplyDeletePerfect! clean and fresh. love the simplicity and the composition. all the white around makes the articles appear solid like you just left it on the table.
ReplyDelete"Open up your plans and, dang, you're free!"
ReplyDeleteI am fortunate enough to have married a fellow adventurer, and though we have been slowed, though not stopped by having three kids back to back, we are greatly looking forward to grabbing our keys, some money, and hitting the road.
Your painting is great. That's why I love Calypso Moon challenges in particular. The themes are so open-ended which leads the artist to paint something original, thought provoking, and out of the ordinary.
When else would you paint keys and money? You captured it!
Your still life has come a long way. I looked at this and immediately thought of my younger sibling. It's amazing, and one of probably 25 paintings of yours that I am drooling to have. The snail is also superb; he would go, methinks nicely alongside the old sketch of Elliot the snail.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your post and love the art. Freedom and choices, I'm thinking about that a lot lately. We are wanting to downsize with less responsibility.
ReplyDeleteExquisite handling if your still life in watercolor...beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your blog and love your paintings of insects...great photos too.
"Amen, sister"! Thank you for the gentle reminder to "enjoy" life. I guess the lesson is to grow up, but don't leave the child behind.
ReplyDeleteThat is great... you could do anything! So freedom is always here. Off to eat the peaches!
ReplyDeleteThank you Barbara!
The Critique of the use of color...
ReplyDeleteThe red the yellow and green as a representation of the changing colors of our desires, all floating on the infinite possibilities of white. The image is the openess of freedom.
Barbara, I pondered about the large negative space in your piece and concluded it worked very well with the theme of Freedom. The blank area leaves room for discovery and countless possibilties. Mad adventure sounds thrilling.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your visits and your comments. I feel encouraged both to paint and to pursue adventure.
ReplyDeleteIt is funny how many of us used green and lime colours to represent our freedom. I remember as a child, wanting to be grown up and have money, and a car, to be able to do anything I wanted. But now, I feel like it would be great to be a child again, no responsibilities, no stress of adult life!
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