Giving the Finger & Other Objects of Beauty
I've got some treats for you!
Dear Beautiful Friends,
First things first:
Do you ever think that the person who empties the household’s dishwasher, and puts away all the bowls, plates, silverware, et al, should wear a crown for the rest of the day, or get out of cooking dinner?
Me too.
On a similar note, I once told my brother, Michael (above) that every time I did my laundry, and tucked away the last pair of socks, I felt like someone should come to my front door and hand me an embossed certificate of achievement on the spot.
“I do too!” Michael laughed.
“And then, a week later, when you’ve run out of shirts and underwear and the hamper is full, do you feel betrayed, like you should be done with laundry for years to come?”
“Fuck yeah! The piles just keep on coming.”
Isn’t it great when your irrational peeves are shared?
Now, let’s turn to art and beautiful objects that delight the senses, and are there for us after unloading a full dishwasher, hanging up all those clean knit tops and jeans, and feeling prouder of ourselves than we might all day.
Today I spent some time online, taking in the paintings of an artist who goes by Wyanne (Wyanne Thompson). I love her colorful, impressionistic, faces, and their titles.
A couple of years ago I discovered “The Talker,” and saved it to a file because, A) I thought it would make a great memoir book cover, B) I am the talker in my relationship and I liked the bird, the finger and the visual double entendre , and C) I’m not normally drawn to faces or portraits because they’re too specific, and I like anything that disrupts my usual aesthetic preferences.
Today, Steve and I were at World Market poking around, and ran smack into “The Talker.” It was in terrible condition, but I took it as a sign to come home and find out more about the piece, the artist, which led me into an avalanche of bright, whimsical work. And more faces with great titles.
This one is called “Cheer the Fuck Up.”
This one is called “In a Mood.” The artist has several pieces featuring the middle finger, and sometimes two at a time!
In my family, a good middle finger is what we aspire to. We’re trained at a young age to flip a beautiful bird. Look at this early talent!
Back to our encaustic-face paintings:
Here’s “Think Too Much” which I also enjoy, because, well, who doesn’t (think too much)? 🙋🏻♀️ This painting displays over-thinking as cheerful and full of possibility, like Spring.
A few more objects of beauty before we go!
After returning from my epic Italy trip (Venice and a Ski Safari in the Dolomites), yes I’m still banging on about that, I needed to surround myself with objects of beauty to help me transition back.
I purchased two stove-top espresso makers. The tiny yellow one already looks like I’ve owned it for a decade. I left it on the burner too long.
This is just a bus pass.
But I love the color blocks so much, I keep it sitting on my desk as a memento. I mean, really. THAT’S ALL IT TAKES to tickle a fancy—color blocks! My husband, not a bus rider, even said, “I might actually ride a bus if the tickets looked like that.”
SAME.
🌸🌸🌸
Also, the cherry trees went into gonzo-bloom mode this week, and I can’t stop taking photos of my neighbor’s extraordinary tree—literally morning, noon and night, and then texting them to her because she was away this week.
Don’t forget to check out Wyanne’s art, at her website here.
💥Coming April 10💥 That’s a Terrible Idea, What Time? Writer’s Salon & Workshop
You are amazing and I love your insights and you! Xoxoxo j