This is one of my all-time favorite paintings. One steady brush stroke, so graphic and pristine.
It’s called “Winter Road” by Georgia O’Keeffe.
(As an aside, I haven’t looked at her paintings in awhile. Man, was she naughty.)
My last semester of college, I felt like I was coming into my own as a photographer. I had completely stopped taking documentaries or portraits. I was obsessed with creating photos that mimicked painting, and I started to just “paint” on the film with water and flashes of light. I guess I could have been an artist, if I’d had the determination.
I took this photo tonight (seven years later), moody November dusk. It made me think of Turner, and I like the modern element the porch lights add. I think if I were an artist, I would want my art to be impressionistic at the very very most. It would evoke a feeling before it was comprehended, but the comprehension would enhance the experience.
When you’re a few hours away from a tour through the Roman Forum, the Contarelli Chapel doesn’t seem important. It’s tiny, non-descript and dark. Worse, you can’t see the paintings unless you stick a euro in the slot to buy one minute’s worth of spotlight. You can barely see what you came to see, but you feel he’s worth pointing out to the lovely Amy nonetheless. This guy.
He’s the only one refusing to look up at Jesus. He’s counting his tax money feverishly. He feels the heat.
If I look up, everything changes.
You get butterflies and hope Amy does too. Look up, friend. There’s no doubt it’s worth what you’ll lose.
