"Boy in the forest
Autumn is here yet again
Quickly a year passed."
Hand painted, machine quilted. Since I painted this fabric - sketchy trees and blurry leaves - I envisioned a progression of hazy figures through the woods. Who knew this challenge would provide the opportunity. The silhouetted figure is from a photo of mine that I manipulated in Adobe Photoshop Elements.
A really fun challenge. Thanks so much, Kathy.
I do see a bit of light in the middle of the piece that I need to darken. Any comments, criticisms are as always, welcome.
Betty Warner
Thanks in advance for any comments/criticism.
ReplyDeleteLove it Betty, you've got some nice depth in the composition, the figures appear to be moving. Well done! The Haiku is beautiful too.
ReplyDeleteHi Betty, when first saw the piece before I read the haiku, I thought the piece was about a forest fire with flames and blackened trees...then I thought it was about war with burned out buildings and dejected soldiers. It feels powerful and dark, like the inevitable end of something. Well, it's about the end of a season and time passing, and what could be more inevitable than that.
ReplyDeleteI really really like this piece..it's gritty and real to me
Cynthia
When I first looked at this piece I thought about war and soldiers walking through burned out buildings. Interesting how we can see things differently before reading about it. I do like your Haiku and your rendition of it. Yours is much more uplifting than what I saw in it. Neat piece!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jan, the piece looked dark to me. However, after reading the haiku it lightens the subject up. I still see the passing of time, people, etc. I really like the piece
ReplyDeleteI saw soldiers too.... and since I have friends who are still in Afganistan and Kuwait, I think of them often.
ReplyDeleteGlad you did this!
I also saw soldiers at first glance, but after reading the Haiku instead of soldiers or several figures moving through the woods, I saw the boy..young the smallest figure...and then his growth throughout the year as they get progressively larger.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of those pieces that everyone will "read" differently and therefore a great one!
Good job :-)
To me it was 'war'and 'rifles', the aftermath, then I looked for the boy.. very evocative and deep... it could be homeless, orphans, who knows...
ReplyDeleteVery well done.. and especially in liht of your Haiku.
I too see soldiers. After all soldiers are boys and they are in a forest of war. Thought provoking piece and very strong.
ReplyDeletePat Havey
You did a great job painting the leaves. This is a very emotional piece! Well done.
ReplyDeleteI have heard it said that art is supposed to make people think.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the comments I see that it certainly does.
Very nice piece of art.
Betty
Betty,
ReplyDeleteI agree that this piece evokes a lot of emotion. I also saw soldiers at first, but then I have a son-in-law stationed in Afghanistan! I am hoping, that like your haiku states, this next year will pass quickly! I love the perspective which you have achieved. Your painted background is beautiful. I would respectfully request that you not darken the light in the middle, I see it as hope in the darkness.
Betty,
ReplyDeleteThis is a striking piece! It has a sense of melancholy and things passing which is exactly what your words suggest.
My first impression was of hunters moving through the autumn forest. It's really interesting to read all the different takes on this. Well done Betty
ReplyDeleteCherie
Thanks you all so much for your comments. I am typically a planner of my work and often suffer from 'the paralysis of analysis'. This work just kind of happened. I really love that you saw different things in it and find that to be an affirmation of working a bit more instinctively. Thanks so much for your observations and kind words.
ReplyDelete