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Open Poetry #37
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The Price of a Portrait Artist
| Open Poetry #37 |
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The Price of a Portrait Artist |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
He painted their portraits having seen the lines of their lives, The royal blood Relative lies; He tooled the truth from the tenseness of their skins, The upheld heads The lowered chins Silent keeper of the well, only in paint would he tell (Or, wouldn’t he? Did he sell it well?) What price did he put upon his head? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
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| © Copyright 2006 Cathy Farmer - All Rights Reserved | |||
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
I placed this message above, but thought it was distracting, so I moved it here: Lately, I've been going to the art museums regularly to develop my drawing skills. There, I have chosen some dramatic portraits to be my teachers in the use of light and shadow. I had no idea how only one minute dot could change the expression on a face. That leads to further thinking. I'm drawing only for fun. What if one had to draw to please emperors or royalty and put in the wrong "dots"? OUCH!!! Such bravery has constituted our poets, scientists, philosophers, artists, musicians... The list goes continues. cathy |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
I love this! yes, it's just a tiny drop of 'bloodpaint' that makes each portrait breathe the unique lifeforce of both artist and subject. |
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icequeen Senior Member
since 2001-12-09
Posts 633FL USA |
How fabulous - and I am so glad you included your interesting note. It does give one something to think about, doesn't it? I draw too - and yes - one simple dot and it all changes. I am big on using my eraser LoL  Caroline He who wants a rose must respect the thorn. |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
I think this was a brilliant write and observation ('course, I'm biased...lol).  ....jo |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
I love this m'self. Great artists of their time, and don't make me quote the lists, but they had to do family portraits, they had to do the egalitarian politician, they "had to do" just like--now--we have to appease the bourgeouis. This poem could apply to a garage band, a simpleton of rhyme, or some chalkstone creatix outside of Jackson Square... we all sell out methinks.  then we glue the feathers on... |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Cathy...see what you've learned by chasing your passion for education... in order to teach more. It is all wrapped up in that need to express one's self... and as we study more, we realize we may not walk in their shoes, be it art, writing, teaching, etc., but we sure as heck walk along the same path... listen to the wind, dear. It still has a lot of voices to share...with all who wish to listen. |
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kayjay Member Elite
since 2002-06-24
Posts 2015Oregon |
The need to please, when we engage in art or storytelling, is part of life's game. Your writing is always pleasing. Ken Through rubble and trouble and dark of night |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
I had no idea how only one minute dot could change the expression on a face. not only change the face, but can change the heart as well... tremendous poem... |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I couldn't draw to save my soul... they had to please to earn their keep... or keep their heads. *S* (There are times I wish pictures of me at family reunions had those same criteria. LOL) So could they be true to their art... to their eyes... when they knew the price? *S* I like this very much... *S* |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
One of the most important traits for an artist (or a poet!)to have is that of being observant! ~ and this, m'dear, you have in spades!  Hug-o-love, Linda |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
"He tooled the truth from the tenseness of their skins, The upheld heads The lowered chins" Thanks for telling us where your inspiration came from. I enjoyed this very much. |
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