Read the Dorothy Parker pice too, powerful! and the story of the tshirt is great (oh Josh). Had you thought to write about the painting which appears in both? The male figure is wearing the gag but bequeathed it to you. The paradox of telling my asking permission is really great. Also as a reader I’d imagine that none of you would want anything to do with art after that traumatic parting, if the family being less important to your dad than art. Did it feel good to throw away his worse paintings or even to decide that they were, some of them, not worth it, and not worthy? is staying so close to art a way to defang the secret and keep it but in plain sight?
These are such great questions, Lisa! I think the essay too was a lot about the ambivalence of holding on and letting go-- staying with art was a way of holding on to him, telling his secret or getting rid of his art was letting go, etc.
I like the idea of spending more time with that image. It was not a self portrait but of course the secret was his first and he must have suffered for it, though I didn’t ask about that when he was alive. I don’t know if he could have, or would have, talked more about that.
So good, Victoria - and the essay in Dorothy Parker's Ashes was just wonderful. You do such a good job of showing the effect that a parent's words on a child can have - and the repercussions that are felt throughout their lives. The effect words have, in general. So looking forward to more...
This is so beautiful and so brave.
I love, love “some impressive squirming,” the concept and the phrase.
Thanks! A late addition —
Read the Dorothy Parker pice too, powerful! and the story of the tshirt is great (oh Josh). Had you thought to write about the painting which appears in both? The male figure is wearing the gag but bequeathed it to you. The paradox of telling my asking permission is really great. Also as a reader I’d imagine that none of you would want anything to do with art after that traumatic parting, if the family being less important to your dad than art. Did it feel good to throw away his worse paintings or even to decide that they were, some of them, not worth it, and not worthy? is staying so close to art a way to defang the secret and keep it but in plain sight?
These are such great questions, Lisa! I think the essay too was a lot about the ambivalence of holding on and letting go-- staying with art was a way of holding on to him, telling his secret or getting rid of his art was letting go, etc.
I like the idea of spending more time with that image. It was not a self portrait but of course the secret was his first and he must have suffered for it, though I didn’t ask about that when he was alive. I don’t know if he could have, or would have, talked more about that.
(moved this reply from general thread)
Closer and closer to the nub of your story. Congratulations! The essay in Dorothy Parker's Ashes is so on target.
So good, Victoria - and the essay in Dorothy Parker's Ashes was just wonderful. You do such a good job of showing the effect that a parent's words on a child can have - and the repercussions that are felt throughout their lives. The effect words have, in general. So looking forward to more...
Thank you!!!