According to French novelist Gustave Flaubert, despite our noblest and best attempts to express ourselves artistically, human effort is all too often "like a cracked kettle on which we can tap crude rhythms for bears to dance to, while we long to make music that will melt the stars."
Pablo Picasso, whose unique way of looking at the world was often a magnet for criticism, once addressed the comment that his work was difficult to understand with this reply: "Why does art need to be understood to be enjoyed? When you hear a bird sing, do you need to know the words in order to appreciate the music?"
My artistic career began with work that was in what I call the "Southern Schlock" category - solid, realistic and well-composed, familiar nostalgic subjects - but most were not particularly challenging. Eventually I moved on to more "abstract" realism, which is how one would describe my new work. This is where the "bear dance or bird song?" question arises - have I translated my vision well enough to make it sing a lovely song, or does it lumber like those bears, dancing to my kettle-tapping? So, here is my first offering in this venue - have at it! The title of the above work is:
Leaf Abstract 1: Black Gum. It is oil pastel over an inkjet print. Love it or loathe it - let me know what you think! Anyone can be a critic.
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