Beans in Suits on the Beach
#6/365 Paintings for 2013
I had a very serious paragraph in mind for this painting. It had to do with the craft of packaging and the history of 17th century paper. But every time I looked at beans in their packages, they made me laugh and think of Wall Street. Bean-heads in suits running around counting, plotting and planning — private jets to the beach on any given day. So, I had to give the beans a new title and a beach to make the painting complete.
This morning I read a bit about Matisse from an 11 year old girl’s school project in NYC. She was intrigued that Matisse didn’t start his scissor art until the age of 71 when he could no longer stand and paint because he was sick in bed. He worked until the day he died. His cut out figures are now a national monument to art. It took 51 years for him to strike the public vein in a significant way. Well, I was so moved that I cut out some orange chiffon paper and made clouds and glued it onto the sky in this painting. Matisse’s clouds; an homage.
I do hope I find my artistic stride before the age of 71. On the other hand, simply painting everyday is changing all the molecules around in my life and plans. Apparently, happiness leads it’s own daily design.
Happy Sunday. Enjoy the beans!
You think you need to “find” your stride? You’ve had an amazing first week with this project. I am impressed and envious, as that goes.
Funny that you mention Matisse. From the chair where I usually sit and work, I stare across at a print of his work, from the Tate Gallery in London. I’ve often looked at that print and wondered why those random scraps work so well.
I am already enjoying finding my morning email with the link to your latest. For me at least this project is already having life beyond your original intentions. I hope it keeps growing.
This week HAS been amazing. I’ve also been enamored with your character expressions in your project. They really pull me in. Thank you for the nice words. I’m pretty energized by this project.
Yes beyond it’s original intentions is true for me too!
So cool!