Whistlers Mom

I've been an artists mom long enough to know there are questions you never ask an artist - 

"What were you thinking when you were creating this piece?" 

"What were you trying to convey?"

I've been reprimanded too many times,

instructed that it doesn't matter 

what the artist was thinking 

or what meaning a piece had 

for the one who created it ...

a work of arts 'meaning' is truly 

in the eyes of the beholder ...

What does it evoke in you?

What images, phrases and concepts do you see in the piece? 

what resonants with your soul?

On retreat this weekend, 

there were many lovely pieces of art on display;

paintings, 

treenware,

homespun linen,

ironworks,

to name just a few.

Several pieces 'spoke' to me,

drawing me into deeper thought 

and conversation with God

a piece of polished Mississippi River driftwood,

named "Mother and Child";

NOT named by the artist

but the buyer.

 A lovely sampler

and sentiment.

You know what a soft spot I have for the domestic arts!

My favorite though was a piece which would have been easy to overlook,

blending as it did into its surroundings;

its placement behind a desk in the study;

it felt intimate -

and though we had been given consent to 'explore',

there was a sense of intrusion as I stood looking at it,

yet I was compelled to do just that.

While it stands completely on its own,

it also seemed to echo things I'd observed outside -

 the individual stroke marks 

made by a craftsman in the 1800's 

as he harvested and prepared wood planks

for a home;

 the wispy strands of fall grass,

and 'silhouettes' etched into stone

by years of water, wear and friction.

I'm NOT enough of an artists mom 

to know what the 'process' was for creating this piece ...

 but it speaks

 to me 

of Life and Death -

there's one way in 

and one way out;

We're surrounded by others,

some named and known,

some known intimately and dearly loved,

others merely wisps 

passing by momentarily

and barely noticed

 all of us making our 'marks' - 

on each other 

and the world at large -

for good or for ill.

Now for my confession,

despite being on retreat,

I broke the 10th Commandment!

I DID covet this piece!