When I started this project, I didn't realize how ambitious it was. I had a feeling things would emerge and occur as I painted...I didn't know what to expect, though. One of the first things was that I realized I did not have the energy to do as many of these as I had intended and do them well. So shortly after marking off canvas for several people I quickly narrowed it down to doing just a handful of paintings this year. (I'll do more in the coming years for those who did not get one this year.)
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| You Make Beautiful Things with words superimposed for illustration. |
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| Ave Maria with words superimposed for illustration. |
Dad's favorite has long been Dvorak's New World Symphony. The line I painted for Dad was from Mvmt 2 and it's the first notes of the oboe solo which starts at :47 in this video:
Mom's favorite song is Oh Magnum Mysterium by Laurdisen. From the song I painted the second phrasing of the words Oh Magnum Mysterium.
My brother's favorite song is Freddie Freeloader by Miles Davis. I painted the resolving phrase at :36.
Michele's current favorite song is Beautiful Things by Gungor. I painted the second time he sings "You make beautiful things" at 1:07
So what else emerged/occurred happened as I painted? I realized pretty quickly that of all the paintings Dad and Mom's two coordinate together the best...which I like. I realized that my brother's painting is different than all of ours...and I still don't know what that means. Michele's painting has this wild streak in the middle of it and I think it illustrates her capacity to reinvent herself while holding steady to the important things. My brothers' kids paintings all go well together, too---and they are a great mix of his and Michele's paintings. Miles' has every color in it and I like this because of his childlike spirit (I know there's a lesson in there about primary appreciation for beauty). I wept as I painted "sleee-eep in heav'nly peace" for Sophie because I realized how badly I want this for her. Lili's My Little Pony Theme translated all colorful, playful and fun---so much like her! Ave Maria is peaceful and moving (like a mini Rothko) much like the song itself---the colors seem like a nice blend of my aunt and uncle together.
As I painted I felt particularly close to my family members. I felt like they had given me a gift by letting me in on their favorite ear candy. It was as if I tried on their ears, their spirits for a few hours, and it was very beautiful, connecting experience. Everyone seemed to enjoy receiving their paintings as gifts this year. I wonder if the idea would have occurred to me had I not been on such a tight budget? Merry Christmas to all of us!
1 comment:
Loved reading all about your paintings of our favorite songs! This painting makes me love my song even more, and it was fun to find out everyone's favorites. I love the 3 little T's paintings--they look like portraits of them.
The first time I heard Michele's song, I was in the car and Lili and Sophie were singing along. You haven't really heard that song until you have heard them sing "You make beautiful things..." Now when I listen to that song, I can hear their little voices singing along.
Loved it when Matt knew the phrase you had painted before you told him.
Now you need to paint your family members' songs. I want to know what your favorites are.
Thanks a million for this gift. I loved M & M's gift to us, too--the birthdates/names on the wall hanging. My grandkids have such beautiful names and love their numbers, too.
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