Look at What the Light Did Now

Jen Hall came over to archive some work in the studio.  I’ve been really aching to get a couple of pieces out into the world, one inspired by a  poem by George Bowering (thank you, George)…
 
(a recent letter from George)
Hey, Kathleen,

 
I like your wolf in the snow
and I am glad that my words could have a part in it.
 
Hope to see them in the flesh, or charcoal, or whatever.
 
Well. Hope to say hello in person some time.
 
I am the way and the heavy.
 
  
George’s poetry is so powerful, that to have words of his sent to me via electronic mail also feels like poetry.
 

Thank you, George Bowering

 
and another by Paulette Dube (thank you);
 
Paulette shaped a heart-felt message for me as well, but it stays here, tucked in my heart.
 

Paulette’s Words Take Flight

 
…but, I didn’t want to send the paintings out of the studio until I had them photographed.  I’ve converted my old photo slides to digital recently and I realize that I used to tear out the door, often with wet paintings, in order to meet deadlines.  If I photographed my works, they were haphazard trapezoidal shapes of every variety; they were unfocused and they hardly qualified as an archive at all.  Here would be an example.
 

Poor Quality 🙁

 
So now, I have no REAL history of what has come before, to even consider how all of that work influenced this.  See.  This is why I am excited that Jen came to the studio this morning.
 

Jen’s ‘Take’ on an one of my ‘old’ paintings.

 

Photo of taking Photos by Jen Hall

 
 
Little Wings and Feist
 
Hear it like a pounce upon a peak, oh
Look at what the light did now
Bear it like a bounce upon the beak, oh
Look at what the light did now
Land and water and bird or beast, oh
Look at what the light did now
Shiny little band or golden fleece, oh
Look at what the light did now
 
In my will I went ’til it’s wasted
Look at what the light did now
Taste the taste I taste ’til it’s tasted
Look at what the light did now
Bought it like a boast that burly beaming
Look at what the light did now
Got it like a ghost that girly gleaming
Look at what the light did now
 
Like a dead tree that’s dry and leaving
Look at what the light did now
Play it on me with grief and grieving
Look at what the light did now
I would finally fall to pieces
Look at what the light did now
We’ll meet soon as nephews… nieces
Look at what the light did now
 

What Rea Wrote

Rea wrote: “You should add a paragraph of P names so if P Mason Googles himself he might find this post… You can also hide the text I bet or colour it white if you don’t want a big long obvious list of names on your blog. Good luck with the search! “

I think this is a great idea.  In fact, it’s crossed my mind.  The reason it crossed my mind, of course, was because I wondered if doing a google search for a P. Mason would be adequate.  So…I am going to include some possibilities here and then perhaps someone will hit upon this entry when searching for their own name.  (Come on now.  I know you’ve done it!)  Who’s to say that P. Mason is male?  I immediately made the assumption that because of the content and the approach, this was a MAN’S photograph.  Not necessarily.  It made sense that I began with P. and then Peter.  Actually, I began with P. Mason and the word photography….then, expanded to Peter. 

I don’t believe it to be Paul Mason’s work.  There is a little snow in Peter Mason’s portfolio! It struck me that Peter Mason, the photographer (another one), was achieving an entirely different style from this…am I wrong? 

Peter Mason
Pierre Mason
Paul Mason
hmmm…apart from the word, PESTO, nothing is coming to mind right now…
Paula Mason
Patricia Mason
Percival Mason
Pete Mason (oh dear, I’m back to that again…)  I’m wondering why Rea would suggest that I hide a long list on my blog?  White?  OH!  I know!  Did she make this suggestion because likely this is the most ridiculous series of posts I’ve ever written!?  Could it be?  I think I’m onto something!  It feels much like a series of “Where’s Waldo?”  It matters not!  I’m having fun!

To offer up a context for this madness, I’m waiting for potatoes to boil.  Suggestions would be welcome.  P. Mason, I adore this photograph…but won’t use it as a reference for a painting until or unless I find you!  And…I know that my HUGE following is wondering, “Where are you, Rea?”

Post Script:
Phillip Mason
Philip Mason (the potatoes are soft now…off to eat a late dinner!)

Discoveries: Art, Photography and Culture

Thank you so much, to the Urban Hippie for sharing her experience of visiting Ava Avione.   I really enjoyed the freedom of her creation of images, space and paint!  I am so captivated by the lush and varied application of paint and also very interested in the elements of culture, history and art that influence these approaches!  An awesome post, Lauren!