I paint...?
No, it's not my phrase. It's a friend of mine, an artist who is happy when he paints. And it is not just because he said it here. I know it as I could see it from his attitude and approach to his work. I learned it from all those moments when he was showing us the process of creating a sculpture or while he was painting his furniture in yellow, full of little white flowers (his work Redesign). Or showing us the two mannequins that were the protagonist of the project Love Story... I could also see it from the works we received as a gift, back in time.
These red artworks you see hanging on the wall of my living room (though in my old house) are examples of how some old, thrown-away pieces of wood can be converted into more valuable items. They got an artistic value, rescued with the artist's imagination and skills to convert them. To give them a new life.
My field is music. I can't really describe now how he remodelled these pieces of wood... but I certainly see a huge difference between useless trash (as to be honest, they didn't have any purpose anymore, maybe just to be burned) and a piece of art that I can proudly show to my guests in my old home. Nobody stays indifferent, but the reactions can vary. It depends on the person who sees it.
You could hear:
Just pieces of wood, painted in red and black.
What do these ropes represent?
Hmm, they are interesting...
Why they are all different?
Oh, here we are. Isn't a piece of art a unique representation of a vision that the artist had in his mind? Thoughts and feelings (positive or negative) made visible? The inspiration can come from anything, what we see, hear, read, feel, listen to... from a little conversation or just from silence. From unanswered questions too. It is a world of treasure chests where gems are kept. Where stars burst and ordinary objects can receive unconventional touch. Like the next of his works, made exclusively for my son when he was small.
It was also made of an old piece of wood. Cut in the form of a car, painted with colours that would represent happiness, imagination, and energy that will never stop. When I see the wheels, I see motion. Just spin it in your mind. You will maybe feel fuzzy, but pleased.
A little detail from the other side of this same special car. A blue surface, with cracks, etched lines and scars... And the sticker with our friend's name and the phrase I'm very happy when I paint...
Do you believe it can be true, that some mysterious energy, or call it feeling, talent, touch, vibe or whatever can transform a cracked piece of material into art?
What is certain is that we can also feel some kind of transformation in the process of creation. No, it is not always going smoothly. In my case, I need to practise to get a piece of music going well. Or at least, in a decent version. But if someone would ask me when I am happy?... I think I could respond that it definitely can happen when I play the piano. And a myriad of other moments when I can feel the same ;)
Now I am off to practise some music! But not this one right now, it got stuck.
If you got something from this little writing and you would like to let us know what are the moments when you feel happy, you can finish the phrase (or transform it freely) in your own way: I'm happy when I...
