Friday, July 18, 2008

Where The Wild Things Are

Some time ago on an uninhabited small barrier island named by Iberville for a French holiday,

My guys dropped me off.

They took a GPS reading on me and said,"Don't worry, we'll be back to pick you up before dark... probably. You've got water right?," they grinned and left.

I set down my gear, looked around, breathed in sea air deeply. I listened, mostly to shorebirds, the wind and the sound of the motor on the boat getting fainter. I smiled. Then I pulled out a sketchbook, my camera, and I went to work.

I have an island to paint. It is hard for me. It's personal. The island has been decimated. Shea was found dead in his New Orleans apartment late this spring. So accessing those times of exuberant pleasure, discovery, is fraught with emotional pain. There is sheer joy there too. Wildness and beauty untouched. Dedicated individuals on a mission. So yesterday, I got out that soft cotton rag and began to mix a little paint. Started the under painting. Dabbed at a canvas with my fingers, began to unleash the passion I have for wild places. I'll never do it justice, but I can begin to try. I have to take you to these places and tell you why it matters so, so very much. So it's a start.

Aughhh, it's Naughty Friday. Maybe we should all find an island somewhere where wild things can play.



Brush says, No guts no glory....let's give it a damn good try. Have an excellent weekend.

15 comments:

Parisbreakfasts said...

These are GORGEOUS!!!
Amazing what a tag and a schmeer of paint can say..
Turner would like these!

Janice C. Cartier said...

Thanks. THat means a lot to me. It does. This is a scary undertaking. But one that I must take.

I am stunned, and yet chuckling, that this simple cotton rag from one of my cut up tops is taking me where I need to go. Oh, and brush is absolutely wild running barefoot on the sand.

Parisbreakfasts said...

Yes yes I meant to say RAG not tag.
These are really FAB
what size are they..hard to tell-they do look Turner size..
Glad you enjoyed the little visit to my island...or should I call it the Bermuda Triangle...?
Things get lost there FAST and easy. Some turn up and some don't...ahem
Ooooo do on of that static sailboat=YUM

Janice C. Cartier said...

It did look like a mini Bermuda Triangle.:) But cool.

This is one piece, 22X 36 and details. Oh, there will be boats...we have to have boats....

Parisbreakfasts said...

There will be boats...
What is that a line from?
Oh I was hoping they were mini sized :(

Tali said...

I really enjoyed your post, thanks for sharing! Your paintings are truly beautiful!

Amy said...

There are a few tragedies I wish I could paint my way out of (if only I knew how to paint). I am sorry about your friend. I hope you'll find the healing you need.

Janice C. Cartier said...

Thanks Tali.
( I love your chokeberries and leaves painting btw.)

Amy- Many thanks Amy. He was a remarkable individual. I think the only way out is to go right through it. Sea shells. I am going to draw broken sea shells from this island today. I happened to bring some out of the storm along with some of my sketchbooks and photos. Shells from a spot that no longer exists. I think that has artistic potential.

Amy said...

I think so too!

Janice C. Cartier said...

Oh good. I am doing them on hand made paper I ordered from a cool place in California when I was in Santa Fe all last year. Have not used it yet. It has a nice feel to it. I can enjoy the textures and the simple shapes. Just bits of this and that. I like the feel of graphite on paper. That's my afternoon today. Coming over to see you.

Amy said...

Oh! When I lived in San Francisco, there was the coolest paper store ever. I like to make greeting cards -- you know, because I suck as a painter ;-) -- and I found a ton of the coolest paper there. I'm not so sure it could be used to paint on though. I will look forward to seeing your shells. :-)

(I broke my blog earlier, but it seems to be fixed now.)

Janice C. Cartier said...

Amy- It's fixed . I love your post today on freelancing. :) I LOVE paper. This is from Hiromi in Santa Monica. Yum.

Amy said...

Thanks. :-)I should have made some origami ducks for my post. That would have been great!!

Linda Blondheim said...

I enjoyed reading your blog and viewing your lovely paintings.

Linda Blondheim
www.lindablondheimartnotes.blogspot.com

Janice C. Cartier said...

Amy- Still chuckling, those would be cool too..great analogy.

Linda- Oh we could walk on location...I loved your palms Linda.. Plams always make me smile. Don't know what it is. I just go with it and enjoy them. Thank you.