oil on birch panel18 inches square
sold
my first larger piece in some time - i love it and can't wait to finish up the next version. the title came first on this one - while listening to a piece on npr about the idea of only having fifty possessions. as someone who is torn by a desire to collect and a desire to simplify and who is utterly fascinated with consumerism and the idea that we are for better or worse identified by our possessions, from the study of ancient cultures through shards of pottery, to the identification of saints in art by their outfits, to my coveting of a totally unnecessary for me iphone, to the fact that my work, my livelihood, a good part of my identity is based on the fact that i create things, possessions are something i can't help but think about what they all mean and how we identify with them. so.. yeah...love the title, couldn't decide between this compostition and another interior version so i'm doing both. and i have a bit of a fever so rambling might be even more incoherent than usual, sorry.
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12 comments:
I love this piece! I tried to find the link to what you were listening to on NPR...can't find it. Suggestions?
I've been working on a story about possessions and just happened upon your site.
Love your work.
I love your rambling. This is a very nice piece. I always love how much you get a piece to express so much in such a simple way. I just love seeing what you create.
I miss the one about sticking the feathers up and I still think that was a floater..
Nancy A.
I love this. I love the concept of arranging the beloved things, and the 50 things (which I need to think about to get comfortable with). I also like the way the hatchings in the sand and the swirls in the waves (which are beautiful) are both reminiscent of writing.
as i downsize my life, my home and possesions-a- plenty i am totally getting this painting. i am in the process of thinking about what i value and need and what makes my house a home (and what will make my new house a home) this is a very insightful title and subject matter as always (i'm looking forward to the interior perspective). happy summer amanda!
beth
Beautiful painting! I admire your work so much.
I have been thinking about that story since I heard it on npr as well.
Keri Smith also talks about paring down on possesions on her blog as well.
I feel like I am always vacillating between the two myself...
oh my goodness Amanda, this is absolutely beautiful. Wow. One of my very favorites of your paintings. Just beautiful.
thanks everyone.
eliza- welcome to my bloh. wish i knew more about that story, but all my npr listening is done in bits and pieces through the sounds of my very loud children so i never catch enough of a story to remember details, sorry.
nancy - the feathers will be revisited...they're part of another large one, just wait...
rowena- the 50 things idea i think is for different kind of person, it doesn't account for art, i tried to like thie idea of it but it's just cold and without beauty.
beth- keep meaning to say best luck with your move, hope it all goes wonderfully, i think if i wasn't in portland northern cali would be my next choice.
B.E. - thanks and do you know any more about that npr story, it was having to do with a book right?
and thanks timshel, one of my favorites too.
wow, longest blog comment ever.
Such a beautiful painting. If I had only 50 things, the lovely portrait I have bought from you would be among them!
This is beautiful and I love the story/meaning that goes with it.
Hi! I've just discovered you, and i'm completely in love with your paintings. They are incredible!
The intersection between your paintings and your titles continues to fascinate me. The subject of possessions is fascinating to me as both my mother and I have been called "Hoarders" and the rest of my family either hoards or is fantastically opposed to keeping anything. . .
i want to runaway with this painting...it is too wonderful for my measly words! xoxo
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