Recently, I've been thinking about doing a series of memory-inspired paintings. This thought has crossed my mind several times in the past, but I'm really feeling the want to get some of this stuff out with paint. I have no idea how it will come to fruition, but I suppose that's part of what makes it exciting (and potentially frustrating). I have 8, primed pieces of masonite staring at me, begging for some experimenting to begin. I think I'd like to work from childhood photographs of family/friends/houses etc. There's something very dream-like about memories, especially childhood ones, and my dreams have been exceptionally vivid over the past 3 months. Maybe there's a connection between the two that is worth exploring.
Speaking of exploring, I've been spending the past 3 weeks feeling out Alexandra, VA, and Washington DC. Being in a new city can be daunting, but overall I think it's healthy for me. I'm somewhat forced to emerge from my comfort zone and embrace naivety, curiosity, and my tendency to get lost while driving. Aside from being a mecca for the visual arts, downtown DC is pretty awesome...and somewhat perplexing. I'm used to New York City which is loud, teeming, paved from head to toe with the trees in little gates. DC is busy, of course, but it feels so much more open than a place like NYC. There aren't really any skyscrapers, and thanks to the museums and historic landmarks/monuments, there are plenty of wide-open parks, fields, and trees. There are so many tourist groups (high schools, bands, middle schools, etc) walking around with their chaperons that it's hard to feel like an outsider. It's actually kind of comforting to know that most of the people you walk past have no idea where they are headed either.
Memory for the day: I learned what the word "explore" meant from my Dad. There was rarely a vacation, day-trip, or weekend drive that didn't involve him pulling over to the side of the road in some desolate area so that we could walk around a piece of property. As a child, I remember asking, "What are we doing?" to which Dad would respond, "We're exploring!" Ok. Cool. We get to walk around in some unknown area (normally through the woods), surrounded by trees, unprepared for any chance encounter with a wild animal. It became one of my favorite things (even though I'm sure I whined about it at the time), and I think this was the birth of my love for nature and tree canopies.
2 comments:
I like the little buttons at the bottom of the post! Cool!
Okay, so memory painting. During the poetry workshop I attended (more than a year ago?), one of the prompts I was given was a copy of an old photograph. It looked like it was Depression-era, and there were a few boys standing together. Anyway, the prompt was, "Something happened to the boy on the right." Immediately, I knew the story. It was the first and only time I've ever been inspired like that. Based on this experience, I suggest that you also look at other people's childhood photos. Someone else's memory might connect with something powerful from your own experience.
Kate-Yes. I thought those little buttons were pretty nifty. The option for that is under Customize Template, then Layout, then Page Settings.
You know, this may explain why I am fascinated by old photographs in thrift/antique stores. I flip through them and wonder who those people are, where they were at the time, etc. It really is a great starting point for the imagination to take off. Thank you for the suggestion! ps-it sounds like an interesting workshop :)
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