This is one of five paintings I will be showing in November at The IO Gallery. I've just finished this one, and I have another painting that's almost done; it just needs another day's work. It's been slow going in my studio. I went through a stretch of botched paintings and real frustration, but the cooperative muse has returned. I think she was pleased with my gift of new brushes...
A Hand
A hand is not four fingers and a thumb.
Nor is it palm and knuckles,
not ligaments or the fat's yellow pillow,
not tendons, star of the wristbone, meander of veins.
A hand is not the thick thatch of its lines
with their infinite dramas,
nor what it has written,
not on the page,
not on the ecstatic body.
Nor is the hand its meadows of holding, of shaping—
not sponge of rising yeast-bread,
not rotor pin's smoothness,
not ink.
The maple's green hands do not cup
the proliferant rain.
What empties itself falls into the place that is open.
A hand turned upward holds only a single, transparent question.
Unanswerable, humming like bees, it rises, swarms, departs.
- Jane Hirshfield (1953 - )
very nice!!! i love the floral pattern on her skin and musical notes in the trees. and the hummingbird os beautiful!
Posted by: m. heart | October 07, 2007 at 01:03 PM
It's so incredibly frustrating when it won't turn out the way you want, isn't it? But the end results are amazing!
Posted by: Aravis | October 07, 2007 at 02:22 PM
the floral pattern is really beautiful and i like the trees. too!
Posted by: isay | October 07, 2007 at 02:39 PM
Wow its so amazing. Awesome.
Posted by: Sandy | October 07, 2007 at 02:54 PM
This is a great post!
I love the line from the poem "What empties itself falls into the place that is open." That makes my day.
The painting is fantastic. I didn't notice the music note trees at first, but that is my favorite part. Great work.
Posted by: Gabe | October 07, 2007 at 03:27 PM
Another fine painting with lovely words to go with it. Although, as I silently watch and wonder where might I find a girl like this, other words come:
"She's built
like a Grand Prix racetrack,
all curves!"
- Mick Mather
:D
Posted by: Mick Mather | October 07, 2007 at 04:44 PM
I love the feel of this piece...
Posted by: Pattie Mosca | October 07, 2007 at 04:49 PM
Wow, Carla... it's so wonderful painting. I love it so much, also the poem. My compliment!!!
Posted by: Christine | October 07, 2007 at 05:23 PM
The floral pattern on her body is stunning. And so is the hummingbird. Nice work.
Posted by: Heather Hanlin | October 07, 2007 at 10:55 PM
I love the musical notes in the trees Carla. This is another wonderful, mysterious, magical piece!
Posted by: studio lolo | October 07, 2007 at 11:23 PM