Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Vandalism

I just finished this commission for a client who is also a good friend.  She showed me a picture of the style of painting she wanted.  This is not normally the style I paint in, but she likes it, so I said I would design something.  Then she said she wanted me to paint it on her antique butter churn.  I said, "Annie, you can't be serious.  That must be over...well, I don't know how many years, but I don't think I can deface it, even if you are going to call it 'art.' "  As you can see from the photo, she's very persuasive.  Most importantly, she loves it.  But, I still feel guilty.  I feel like I sealed all its stories under layers of paint.  I feel like I committed vandalism.  If it had been anyone else but Annie, I would have declined the commission.  But, she loves it.  I just keep repeating that to myself...

10 comments:

  1. You've given it another layer of history and have made your friend happy. It is alive and evolving. I think it's lovely ;-)

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  2. Thank you, Magaly, I hadn't thought of it as giving it another layer of history; I feel a bit better now. And I'm glad you like it.

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  3. I know us old broads love to look as pretty as possible and your painting has dressed up a very plain looking churn and made it beautiful.

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  4. Maybe u have given it another layer of history albeit a colored one, added a layer of your strokes to add to it's beauty.

    Some changes are good and happen for best, this is one of those.

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  5. I understand your feelings -- you've done a beautiful job though. But your friends heirs are going to curse her when they take that churn in to Antiques Roadshow, fifty years from now.

    "If there were no decorative painting, this unusual early churn would fetch upwards of $75,000 at auction; as it is (sigh and dismissive shrug) maybe $300 - $500. . ."

    But your painting truly gorgeous!

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  6. Thanks Maddyrose, Meeta and Vicki.

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  7. Super beautiful..you honored what your friend wanted..so I think that is very special! Gorgeous!!
    Victoria

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  8. Found you at Queenie's place......very pretty here...I must say......you did a great job with that commission.

    Jo

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  9. Victoria and Jo, thank you for your kind comments.

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  10. You've made a marvelous job of it. Just beautiful.

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Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment, I appreciate it!

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