Saturday, May 09, 2009

"this be the verse"

"Don't learn how to do things, keep on inquiring how." -- Hawthorne on Painting

(11x15)
Ta-da. I took this picture outside, which really helped brighten it up. Naturally, I'm not entirely happy ... but last night I happened on the quote from Charles Hawthorne, above, so I have my "out."
Mostly, I think I just went a little overboard with the fronds! And I kind of lost the tree trunk, but that can be fixed.
In the spirit of "inquiring," I did these two little studies too.
(4x4)

(5x5)

In honor of Mother's Day, a poem you'll never find in a Hallmark card.

Philip Larkin - This Be The Verse

They fuck you up, your mum and dad.
They may not mean to, but they do.
They fill you with the faults they had
And add some extra, just for you.

But they were fucked up in their turn
By fools in old-style hats and coats,
Who half the time were soppy-stern
And half at one another's throats.

Man hands on misery to man.
It deepens like a coastal shelf.
Get out as early as you can,
And don't have any kids yourself.

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11 comments:

Jennifer Rose said...

I love all the blues and purples in the top one :D

LOl at that poem :D its perfect (and something to recite to people when they bug me about having kids :p)

Jennifer Rose said...

sorry about not having kidspenon

Ruth said...

Oh man! I've never seen that poem. I always liked "Church Going." It's really wonderful, and I want to thank you for posting it, especially for Mother's Day, when there are way too many greeting card sentiments.

Don said...

You can never have too many fronds!

Mother's Day is designed to remind us of our shortcomings in either being a mother or being her child.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Laura,

Beautiful painting and studies. Oddly enough the person who taught me that poem is my mother -- and she never swears. She thought it was funny and especially loved the line 'Man hands on misery to man".

Have a Happy Day,

Take care,

Barbara

RH Carpenter said...

I love your inquiring mind, your coconut studies and paintings, and I love that poem! ha ha A true picture of many childhood memories!

Barbra Joan said...

Laura, coming from someone who has lived in Florida most of her life I say your coming right along with your palms. I've seen so many paintings of them in the Keys, (Our closest friends live in Tavinier(Islamorada) and yours is right up there with the best...

Melinda said...

Exquisite watercolor! This painting has everything just right: perfect composition, great color, elegant technique and pleasing light!

Oh, my, I really enjoyed your poem! I'd never heard it, but I've often wanted to write such a poem. Just loved it.

ego2005 said...

Amazing work! Congratulations!

Teresa said...

Your painting finished up beautifully! The coconuts really stand out.

RE: poem...LOL! I think a lot of us can relate to that!

r garriott said...

Brilliant poem!

And I like your fronds and coconuts with the blues and purples very much!