You write: “Having an “eye,” or innate visual good taste, was a genetic inheritance …”
I once thought this was true, but I don’t believe it anymore or at least I don’t think it’s complete. I think this is a skill that can be learned. I, born with the “gift” of an analytical mind, have learned to approach seeing in an analytical way—and a way I couldn’t do when I was young. I’m not claiming that I have a highly skilled eye, just that I’ve been able to develop some skills, and I now believe that seeing is a learnable skill.
Maybe “having an eye” presents as if it were an unobtainable gift when you encounter artists who not verbal, not analytical, and thus not “gifted” with the ability to explain their taste and what they’re seeing. When they exercise their judgement, it seems magic, because they don’t explain it in non-magical terms.
Your dad did have an amazing eye though :-) I’m thinking of him today. This was a beautiful piece.
I also think your point about nature vs nurture is useful. There's lots of gray area, certainly. You can be born with a "gift" and then work on it -- or not. You can be born without a "gift" and then work on developing one -- or not. I think the question of verbal abilities to articulate that gift is another variable. My dad wasn't very articulate about his, I think. But we shouldn't expect that from artists, necessarily.
I like the portrait of you very much! He caught something of you from so little. I want much more about how you feel about what you’ve learned about his walking away from responsibility, of course. And I recently unzipped my parents divorce documents, in an act of bravery. (Check out “Riptide.”) I look forward to reading and learning more.
I will definitely read your post, which sounds brave indeed. (My mom is still alive so that affects how and where I trespass. She has been amazingly candid and supportive of this project but I still consider what to share carefully.)
Yes — some of that is about representing complexity, ambiguity, ambivalence, uncertainty, etc… BUT I like how you make it more directive in your practice. Ie it can also work forward as well as backward. That’s good for me to remember too. Thx!
A marvelous written portrait of the man, your dad, who made portaits of each of you. Such complexity in this version of him, so intimate and honest. I'm impressed.
The house belongs in a novel (a gothic one?). And the portrait of little you conveys so much character in a few brushstrokes. You look watchful and wary.
Yes, I didn't really see that about my portrait until recently. And there was something gothic about that house, though it was all Victorian in style. When he was in hospice at the end of his life my father used to announce solemnly, "my house burned down." And my sisters and I would assure him it hadn't. But the house begged for some Jane Eyre/Manderley style plot twist.... (That will have to go in the piece I eventually write.)
"The house was a sepulchre, our fear and suffering lay buried in the ruins." What Daphne du Maurier says about Manderley applies equally to all of literature's haunted houses.
I think this will be an rewarding memoir to write and to read. I have friends who are both children of artists (one a fine artist and one a celebrated writer). Both had to come to terms with the selfishness that is required to make a life as an artist, and how hard that is for family, especially children. A rich subject.
Thanks! I feel that tension in myself as well, as a parent and a writer. I guess that’s what motivates all this work, figuring out the right balance, the push and pull of responsibility to self and others and art itself. To be continued—
Well, it’s finished but for now I’m just excerpting bits of it here. I’ve submitted it to a few publishers but I may end up self publishing it. I’ll keep you posted!
You write: “Having an “eye,” or innate visual good taste, was a genetic inheritance …”
I once thought this was true, but I don’t believe it anymore or at least I don’t think it’s complete. I think this is a skill that can be learned. I, born with the “gift” of an analytical mind, have learned to approach seeing in an analytical way—and a way I couldn’t do when I was young. I’m not claiming that I have a highly skilled eye, just that I’ve been able to develop some skills, and I now believe that seeing is a learnable skill.
Maybe “having an eye” presents as if it were an unobtainable gift when you encounter artists who not verbal, not analytical, and thus not “gifted” with the ability to explain their taste and what they’re seeing. When they exercise their judgement, it seems magic, because they don’t explain it in non-magical terms.
Your dad did have an amazing eye though :-) I’m thinking of him today. This was a beautiful piece.
Thank you.
I also think your point about nature vs nurture is useful. There's lots of gray area, certainly. You can be born with a "gift" and then work on it -- or not. You can be born without a "gift" and then work on developing one -- or not. I think the question of verbal abilities to articulate that gift is another variable. My dad wasn't very articulate about his, I think. But we shouldn't expect that from artists, necessarily.
I like the portrait of you very much! He caught something of you from so little. I want much more about how you feel about what you’ve learned about his walking away from responsibility, of course. And I recently unzipped my parents divorce documents, in an act of bravery. (Check out “Riptide.”) I look forward to reading and learning more.
I will definitely read your post, which sounds brave indeed. (My mom is still alive so that affects how and where I trespass. She has been amazingly candid and supportive of this project but I still consider what to share carefully.)
I completely understand. It’s a very different universe with both of my parents now gone.
I really enjoyed reading this, Victoria. I feel as if I am getting to know your father a little. Cleary a remarkable man.
Thank you!
i’m a huge fan of your playing with but ~> and. i sometimes try to go whole days changing my buts to ands. it’s a fascinating practice. xoxoxo
Yes — some of that is about representing complexity, ambiguity, ambivalence, uncertainty, etc… BUT I like how you make it more directive in your practice. Ie it can also work forward as well as backward. That’s good for me to remember too. Thx!
A marvelous written portrait of the man, your dad, who made portaits of each of you. Such complexity in this version of him, so intimate and honest. I'm impressed.
Thank you! You're a close and generous reader, Marnie.
The house belongs in a novel (a gothic one?). And the portrait of little you conveys so much character in a few brushstrokes. You look watchful and wary.
Yes, I didn't really see that about my portrait until recently. And there was something gothic about that house, though it was all Victorian in style. When he was in hospice at the end of his life my father used to announce solemnly, "my house burned down." And my sisters and I would assure him it hadn't. But the house begged for some Jane Eyre/Manderley style plot twist.... (That will have to go in the piece I eventually write.)
"The house was a sepulchre, our fear and suffering lay buried in the ruins." What Daphne du Maurier says about Manderley applies equally to all of literature's haunted houses.
I think this will be an rewarding memoir to write and to read. I have friends who are both children of artists (one a fine artist and one a celebrated writer). Both had to come to terms with the selfishness that is required to make a life as an artist, and how hard that is for family, especially children. A rich subject.
Thanks! I feel that tension in myself as well, as a parent and a writer. I guess that’s what motivates all this work, figuring out the right balance, the push and pull of responsibility to self and others and art itself. To be continued—
Oh, what a wonderful photo of your dad, Victoria! The joy and pride he feels in his house is so palpable.
Thanks, jodi! I really have to write more about that house. It’s a character too—
Yes, PLEASE: I really want a post about his house and him!
Ha. Noted!
So beautiful, Victoria. You reference your memoir. Is it already out, or, when do you expect it to be released?
Well, it’s finished but for now I’m just excerpting bits of it here. I’ve submitted it to a few publishers but I may end up self publishing it. I’ll keep you posted!
And thank you for the kind words!