Thursday, May 20, 2010

Paintings From (not so) Long Ago

It's nice to go back to art I made long ago, when my perspective was so different, yet still much the same.

With each piece I revisit, I am transported to that time—where I sat, what I was listening to, how I was feeling, even the weather that day. Such strong associations with each work of art must mean that the process for each of them was significant to me, in some way.

These laundry pictures were painted when we lived in San Diego, I was unemployed, and pondering an attempt at making a living through painting. A few weeks after these were completed, I was pregnant, employed, and feeling vulnerable from the September 11th attacks.

I wonder if, in 9 years, I will look back at my works in metal, and remember my world as it is today, in May of 2010?(A mother of 2 girls, trying to make a living as a metalsmith, and hopeful for the future of my family.)

17 comments:

  1. my goodness i like these paintings Amy; I love the blues and whites. I know exactly what you mean about how your 'old' works can take you back to a time and a place. (when i was pregnant i was making some purple pottery i had such bad nausea and to this day i still can't eat/drink from those pots.)
    Your work right now is so very beautiful as are these thought and words here today.

    ReplyDelete
  2. each art form you visit is stunning amy!
    i love your paintings!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am really loving your laundry paintings! So lovely. It's always such fun to visit your early works...and to see how you have evolve! Your work is always sooo beautiful! Have a lovely merry happy weekend and love to you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a gorgeous painting! I'm loving the colors. Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  5. It's pretty cool that you have physical tidbits to remind you of each of those moments/time periods of your life. I think that's pretty cool.

    :)Lisa
    ps- so you are co-residing with termites too?! Jeesh!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love your paintings!!!! And your thoughtful post... yes, it's amazing how art we made in the past can bring back emotions and memories... and so strongly too!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wonderful paintings! I have a thing about clotheslines -- they're so evocative. They transport you to a simpler time, or even just a simpler moment. That this is your art, a memory from your life, is lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm so glad that I know you are a painter too. What a talent you are. It's so true that each time we create something there is the actual moment with all of it's depths and textures that we are living at the same time. Beautiful post and exquisite paintings.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Beautiful painting! That blue looks so amazing. Sometimes old pieces do bring back a state of mind and 'life' back then, so much so that I can't hang some up anymore because I want to move on.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Amy. These paintings are beautiful! It is so nice to see them. It is great to get a glimpse into your past and I know how it feels to go back in time. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  11. truly inspired. the shadows of the draping laundry are stunning. you are truly a gifted artist.

    ReplyDelete
  12. You are incredibly talented! Those are gorgeous. I love your style. You should submit photos of these for Garden Mama's Wash Wednesday!
    And yes, I think our art tells a story of who we are right now.
    Nicola

    ReplyDelete
  13. Um, you painted those???? you are AMAZING Amy. Oh how I still wished you lived here in FC. WE could have a blast. You are one of those most talented mamas I have ever "met", and an incredible inspiration as well

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks for giving us a glimpse of you 9 years ago - she was a very talented and amazing woman and see what she grew into now! I always think its good to revisit your past - it gives you a clearer perspective on the here and now and what better way to do it than through beautiful items you have created yourself!? xxx

    ReplyDelete
  15. amy these are gorgeous! wow. I bet the next nine years passes even more quickly. one thing is for sure, you will continue to share your creative spirit with the world and we'll all be grateful for that.

    ReplyDelete
  16. i know you are going to get tired of me telling you- but wow! i love these! hugs hello!

    ReplyDelete
  17. any friend of inner toddler is automatically a friend of mine, but you've put me over the edge with that fabulous metalsmithed hand lettering on your banner. if that isn't the grooviest ever! and i love your paintings - it's so much fun to look back and see who we were! subscribed! xo aimee

    ReplyDelete