I ran across a quote the other day:
The artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape…
Pablo Picasso
A quick internet study bore out something I already suspected–the range of human emotions is limited to a few basics: happiness, sadness, surprise, anger, fear, disgust and some variations. (I would probably add awe. And thankfulness.) Art–whether sculpture, painting, literature, music, photography, or a host of others–should tell a story that inspires some kind of emotion. So today, as an exercise in culture for us country folk who don’t make it to town very often, and for those of us who have trouble expressing emotion without art, we’ve got an arty post today.
Canyon Princess by Gerald Balciar on display at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City
That sculpture makes me feel awe
Untitled, by Pablo Picasso
Um…pity? That had to hurt…and what’s with that one finger?
Once again awe.
spider over a doorbell over a finger
Oh, boogers, wait…that’s from my personal photography collection
Okay, well, the rest of the art will be from a master of emotional storytelling, Norman Rockwell. How do these paintings make you feel?
Breaking Home Ties by Norman Rockwell
Sad
I identify with the kid’s old man. And the dog
Freedom To Worship by Norman Rockwell
Thankful
I’m thankful to live in a country where we can still pray in public–as long as we’re not at school, or whatnot–but I digress. We’ve still got it good compared to others in this old world
Going and Coming by Norman Rockwell
Alarmed
Will I be the grandma back there in the backseat one day? (And in answer to the question posed by the Saturday Evening Post above “Should Husbands Be Babysitters?”–it definitely depends on the husband. If he sends the babies down to play in the pond, no.)
The gossips by Norman Rockwell
Resigned
We can’t change human nature (it’s very funny though. My favorite guy is the one with the pencil behind his ear.)
Girl With Black Eye by Norman Rockwell
Jubilant
(I used to…er…know some girls like that)
Saying Grace by Norman Rockwell
Stubborn
May that praying grandma always be me
I’m interested to know what emotions this art has stirred in you, so let me know in the comments if you are so inclined.
Until next time, God bless all y’all and enjoy the Gaither Vocal Band tearin’ up Alpha and Omega, a song that stirs the emotion of homesick longing in me.
[youtube.com/watch?v=Y-_frJSq0bY]
*These artists don’t necessarily endorse my blog, I just love their music.
Picasso confuses me. Picasso makes me feel like I don’t want to see any more of his artwork. Just saying. The spider on the siding makes me feel resigned and angry at the same time. Norman Rockwell makes me feel awe. What a talent. I’ve spent hours studying his paintings, and I love, love, love them! I’ve tried to pick a favorite person in The Gossips, but I love them all.
Hee hee. I know what you mean about the spider on the siding. And Picasso. (Why do you reckon he put her eye up there like that?) Picasso actually did some realism stuff that I like–although it never reaches that super-emotional side that boils around inside of us girls with black eyes like Norman Rockwell paintings do. 😉
Norman Rockwell is my FAVORITE. All of his work–regardless of which piece–always makes me nostalgic. For a time when things seemed simpler, when people (even the gossips) at least had honest motives, good intentions. I know, I know, there’s no such thing as a simple time, but I feel nostalgic for it nonetheless when I view Norman Rockwell’s work. Thanks for sharing this, Danni!
He was an amazing artist and man. His character was evident by the things he noticed and captured–the small, but best, parts of life. And I think if the past was not simpler, it was at least quieter. 🙂
Thanks Anna. I hope y’all have a wonderful weekend