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Drew

9 Years Ago

Your Last Work Of Art.

What if you knew you only had time left on this earth to do one more work of art.
Describe what it would be of.

Art Prints

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David Lane

9 Years Ago

The party I hope my frinds will have when they say goodby

 

Bill Swartwout

9 Years Ago

Gotta agree with David. I've already got a bottle of Maker's Mark (with my name on the label) put away for my friends to share.



---------------
~ Bill
~ US Pictures .com

 

Boring but true.......I actually only recently thought about this idea, of leaving my last work..........It would not be Art. It would not be my artwork.
Given enough time, I would gather all the comments from fellow artists, and post them on to a format to be saved as my thanks.......the encouragement I've received here deserves such gratitude........(am working on the project now........hope time doesn't run out). Aren't you glad you asked? !

 

Alfred Ng

9 Years Ago

it would be a CD with of all the works I ever produced ( the ones I have photos of).

 

Alfred, good idea. I asked my family to help me make one (I sound morbid,but at 77, tempus fugit).......point being.........sad to say, they didn't want one !!
Got the message. Glad of FAA friends/supporters, all the more.................Instead, am compiling Treasured Comments from real people - Artists !!!! Oh, and that'll get signed at the wake and buried with me !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In reality, how many "friends" and "family" really feel a strong need to save our work?

 

Chuck De La Rosa

9 Years Ago

If I knew? My last "work" would be to spend every available minute with family and friends.

 

Roy Erickson

9 Years Ago

Nice to see how everyone skates around the question - my answer to the question - I haven't a clue.

 

Jimmie Bartlett

9 Years Ago

I agree with Roy, so I am going to put it off and not waste time pondering, and use my time to be with family and paint as much as I can.

 

Toblerusse

9 Years Ago

Sell Art Online

 

Cynthia Decker

9 Years Ago

I would reflect on the body of work I already have and use my time to be with people I love and see places I want to see.

That's my non answer, because I can't project forward to how I might be feeling at the end of my life, so I can't have any notion of what I might make.

 

the question here is not 'would you paint/make an artwork'..............

it is , WHAt would you make/paint given time and forethought..........I think,anyway, and that's what I answered. Sure, nobody really can pick the time,place,or state of mind, for sure.............

 

Lois Bryan

9 Years Ago

Viv ... I have to share something with you, and I'll do it here because I think the story fits. My husband's best friend was an amazingly talented man ... talented in many ways ... whom we lost last spring to cancer. He was, in addition to many other things, a fantastic artist. His recognized style was somewhat Andrew Wyeth, water colors ... influenced by the winter beauty we all enjoyed together up in Pennsylvania near our ski cabins. Everyone waited every Christmas for his Christmas cards .. they were incredible!!

In fact, I got him in contact with an excellent printer not far from where I live where he could get his originals scanned, and I wanted him to sell here, on FAA. Sadly, that never came to pass. However (and I'm finally getting to my point) ... what was less well known about our friend was his beautiful work in oils. After he passed, my husband worked to help the family clear out the home ... and mentioned to me the oil that our friend had been so proud of. Since it was going to be tossed ... if you can believe it ... I asked for it and it's here in our home now.

And now to my point ... maybe family and friends don't appreciate what we do ... but those of us, like-minded, appreciate and value the efforts and accomplishments of our artsy friends. We DO understand and we DO appreciate. So ... don't be too hard on your family ... sadly, I don't think the reaction you experienced is uncommon.

 

Roger Swezey

9 Years Ago

When I had time to do only one last piece of art, I would make sure that it would take a long, long time to complete

 

Thanks, Lois.....what a comfort to read your post. And thanks for the understanding. The outcome for me is very bright, thankfully........first of all, lol - because I won't know what they do with it anyway!
But, for myself, as that last act, compos mentis,it will indeed be an enjoyable gathering of meaningful words written to me.......in my 5 years here. I was once questioned why I 'treasured comments' to me, (in my FAA Blog, which now has 9,000++ visitors), as if it were perhaps a waste of time........the answer then and now, is the 'knowing' shared with like-minded people who live life in 'that' world we occupy when 'in the zone'........and many of us don't have the understanding of our families......I get that, actually. I guess, as 'creatives', we're odd man out......at home especially......but loved for our eccentricity, I figure. Imagine your dearly departed friend perhaps not 'knowing'........but, he had his 'art'..........my family think it's wonderful I've 'got something to do 'now'.."........................! And yesterday, how strangely beautiful, I had a loving email from an artist here, with whom I've never spoken, but who felt the need to tell me he's glad he's known my Art here in view of my post about being less active in the studio now, after he read my new Bio. ...
Thanks again, dear Lois............Joe Cocker sang it for you, girl..............'you are so beautiful'..............sigh.

 

Drew

9 Years Ago

There's really no correct answer.
While the question may be slightly on the morbid side, we are indeed mortal. Let's re frame the question.
What would you communicate to your world useing your artistic talent if you only had on a short time left on this earth?

 

Mary Bedy

9 Years Ago

I think, if I knew it was coming and I had a little time, I would not create anything new. I would purge my house of anything and everything that didn't mean much to me and leave my kids a few pieces of art and printed photos which gave me the most pleasure to create and look at and let them keep those few things.

 

Bill Tomsa

9 Years Ago



Roger Swezey

1 Hour Ago

"When I had time to do only one last piece of art, I would make sure that it would take a long, long time to complete "

Good one Roger! Really lol.

 

Tony Murray

9 Years Ago

Using my organs to paint someone else's life.

 

Marlene Burns

9 Years Ago

I would feel far too pressured to produce something.....I'd just hang with family, hug and laugh a lot.
My children are without a doubt my only true creations.

 

Bill Tomsa

9 Years Ago

Would I have time to post it on FAA? :-))))

 

Kelley Lee McDonald

9 Years Ago

With just a little time left, I wouldn't spend it focusing on a mere piece of paper or canvas. I'd embrace my entire life as my real artwork. I'd want to say to the universe it was the best dream so far...

 

Drew

9 Years Ago

Interesting dances folkz.
I too do not know when my time will be up. It took many years to reach the point of "Not Knowing What Tomorrow Brings". Every work I undertake may be my last therefore I treat it as such. My current painting, I hope will convey this approach and if I die tonight, I prey my last will fulfill this too. Eat, Drink and Paint, for tomorrow we die.....or something like that.

 

Lois Bryan

9 Years Ago

I don't know ... the urge to click the shutter and crank open Photoshop is pretty strong in me ... in other words, not all the Christmas presents are wrapped and ... well ... other unfinished tasks await my magic touch (wink wink). For example, I couldn't seem to stop myself from trying to figure out a cool photography / digi-art look most of yesterday and today, instead of baking cookies. And hauling out the Christmas china. And cleaning the house.

But I did finally get the turkey and the ham ordered.

So.

Ahhh ... in my last days, I probably would step into the "zone" as Viv so rightly named it. Lovely place, "the zone." And I'd probably want to create something fun, something to bring a smile. I've been lucky enough to do that a few times so far. I would like those who remember me when my time has come and gone, to remember me with a smile.

 

Val Arie

9 Years Ago

Drew this hit very close to home...the reasons don't matter...but my perspective has changed... that being our time here really is very short. I've already painted my last painting, sung my last song and danced my last dance....and if by the grace of God I get to do it again tomorrow...

Tony that is an awesome answer!

 

Bob Galka

9 Years Ago

The last art that I did before I found out would be the last art I did.

As to what I would do... I will give my usual answer when not given enough information.... "it depends.."

 

David Bridburg

9 Years Ago

Vivian,

As my fathers entered the English speaking world, this is what they found.
This was their education in London. There is no bad time for Shakespeare.

ROMEO
He jests at scars that never felt a wound.

ROMEO
It’s easy for someone to joke about scars if they’ve never been cut.

JULIET appears in a window above
JULIET enters on the balcony.


But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.
Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,
Who is already sick and pale with grief,
That thou, her maid, art far more fair than she.
Be not her maid since she is envious.
Her vestal livery is but sick and green,
And none but fools do wear it. Cast it off!
It is my lady. Oh, it is my love.
Oh, that she knew she were!
She speaks, yet she says nothing. What of that?
Her eye discourses. I will answer it.—
I am too bold. 'Tis not to me she speaks.
Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,
Having some business, do entreat her eyes
To twinkle in their spheres till they return.
What if her eyes were there, they in her head?
The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars
As daylight doth a lamp. Her eye in heaven
Would through the airy region stream so bright
That birds would sing and think it were not night.
See how she leans her cheek upon her hand.
Oh, that I were a glove upon that hand
That I might touch that cheek!

 

Dave, firstly, thank you, again. There is some sort of connection, and I'm always uplifted by your thoughtful responses to my mutterings. You have a wonderful sense of the meaning unspoken,and I love how you always reference your family history (case you hadn't noticed,lol),and I like that the very words are artworks themselves, that you honour, via interesting semantics.
Secondly, nothing to me is finer than Shakespeare...........he always has an answer.
What interests me is that you've given two wordings for his text, and I just can't work out why......so, please explain? (Thats an hilarious now famous expression here in Australia....'please explain'....uttered years ago during an election campaign when the candidate hadn't the brains to understand the question put to her). or maybe I'm making too much of it all.........I tend to do that about Art and Letters.................

 

Dorothy Berry-Lound

9 Years Ago

I guess you have all gone to bed and I have only just got up so I have missed the opportunity to participate so far in this discussion. I am a Buddhist and a lot of the teachings and meditations focus on death and impermanence as it is only by recognising how precious and how short life is that we are most likely to make it meaningful and to live it fully while we can. That also means living in the moment rather than the past or anticipating what might be on the horizon and not getting too wrapped up in things. Not always easy to do mind you but always something to aim for. When the time comes I would be aiming for as peaceful death as possible - so maybe that would be whilst I was in the zone!

As a complete aside, when I was growing up there was a lot of stuff on the television about nuclear bombs and 'the four minute warning'. I asked my Mum what she would do if there was a four minute warning. She thought carefully for a moment and then said "I would make the biggest cheese sandwich you have ever seen in your life and eat it" - this is a lady who has dieted her entire life! So perhaps art isn't everything?

 

I'm awake, Dorothy.......just !........almost bedtime here in Oz at 8.35pm Tuesday...............love your Mother and her sandwich....solution to the last moments

It must be lovely to be a Buddhist during all this Christmas frenzy..............I stay out of it all, but lean towards peace and quiet and less dogma.
Goodnight!

 

Dorothy Berry-Lound

9 Years Ago

I only just saw this Vivian so you might miss my reply and already be in bed but I hope you sleep well. I am about to embark on a little baking experiment - vegan cupcakes!

 

David Bridburg

9 Years Ago

Vivian,

Your family may not fully appreciate your art, or maybe they are in shock.

The wounds of life and love.

A bridge of love between families at war. Romeo and Juliet.

The words by Shakespeare are just beautiful, take your pick.

My Gramps dropped out of school age 14 to work. While he was
dating my grandmother at age 20, he would quote Shakespeare.
He could quote all of Shakespeare, it was his education. She would wonder
off leaving him talking to himself. The battling Bridburgs married some 55 years.

Take care Vivian,

Dave

 

Thank you,Dave. I understand and appreciate your simpatico. No matter what trade chosen in those days, I have found true scholars , of that generation, who were experts linguistically, through history,literature,art, studies.....in their spare time. My Dad leaned toward deep study of world history.

You might be right about the children. Another issue they have is the time spent here, among like minds.....the family don't have the time I have,and can't accept good relationships among kindred spirits is a healthy pastime, because I'm on the net with you all here, not out there locally. I don't let them stop me. Especially when I see them eyes down , seeing nothing, texting away!

vis a vis courtship and marriage, 55 years for us now.....reason? We never tried to change the other....!

I think we're off topic! Hope your baking turned out delicious , Dorothy.


To your own self be true....as in The Bard's own words...."To thine own self be true"......

 

David Bridburg

9 Years Ago

To thine (sorry) own self be true.

The reason for any human progress.

Dave

 

Dorothy Berry-Lound

9 Years Ago

Vivian the cupcakes were delicious, we have eaten too many of course! Next time I must only do half the recipe - nobody but my husband Barnet Boy and I to eat them up here on our mountain.

I don't have any children, when I have finished this journey there is no-one to go through my things, admire or throw away my artwork including whatever my final work might be. I think your project to pull all the comments together sounds wonderful. Being true to yourself with awareness and compassion for others. What more is there?

 

Thanks for your encouragement,Dorothy. Imagine that! Living together high on your mountain. Sounds glorious to me.

We're on the fourth floor ! The bird life/treetops are gorgeous here...parakeets,many beautiful wild birds. No foxes, of course, lol.

 

Dorothy Berry-Lound

9 Years Ago

It is wonderful and we are very happy. I have a purpose built studio at the back of the house with a wonderful view of the lake in the valley - that studio is now going to be getting a lot of use and would probably be where my last piece of art would be produced!

 

Bill Tomsa

9 Years Ago

I've given this some thought, Drew and I think it would be a self portrait and I'd title it "O.K. now I'm dead so buy my art".

 

Phyllis Beiser

9 Years Ago

I think that I would paint a self portrait with that "Mommy Face", you all know what I am talking about. That face that tells you that if you do not straighten up, you are in for it. Then I would give one to each of my children. I would probably include the wooden spoon!

 

Bill Tomsa

9 Years Ago

Phyllis Beiser

14 Minutes Ago

"I think that I would paint a self portrait with that "Mommy Face", .... I would probably include the wooden spoon! "

OUCH! OUCH! OUCH!

 

Phyllis Beiser

9 Years Ago

Bill, that way if my kiddos ever think about going down the wrong path, they can just look at it and know that I would not approve. (Just kidding, I would never do that!) I may just hand down that spoon though. I have kept it all these years.

 

Bill Tomsa

9 Years Ago

Phyllis Beiser

1 Minute Ago

"Bill, that way if my kiddos ever think about going down the wrong path, they can just look at it and know that I would not approve. (Just kidding, I would never do that!) I may just hand down that spoon though. I have kept it all these years."


Roger that, Phyllis and I repeat......OUCH! OUCH! OUCH! :-)))

 

Michael Dillon

9 Years Ago

.............. a piece to make my mother smile
if there's to be no more
a masterpiece then , worthy of
the refrigerator door
Crayola alla prima
a family portrait piece
figures done Picasso style
coloured like Matisse
purple grass a pink brick house
an orange plane in the sky
a spotted dog a big gray cat on the
sidewalk passing by
cursive e's of chimney smoke rise through a flock of v's
against the radiating lines of a yellow sun
or " cheese ? "
A work to match as best I could
the art I made back when
my pallet was a cigar box
of crayons
to dig in
not so big maby eight by ten
construction paper size
that was always large enough
to catch my mothers eyes
she'd place it when I'd finished
with a magnet held in place
among the notes and recipes
somewhere she'd find a space
a special place of honor
like she'd always done before
when she once displayed each masterpiece
on her refrigerator door.
.....dillon......












 

Drew

9 Years Ago

Happy New Year, May all of your art works reflect your true talent and message.

 

TL Mair

9 Years Ago

I came a little late to this discussion, but I will add.
I would take what some have said about spending time with family, that is the thing to do!!
4 years ago my father passed away, I never did have a good relationship with either of my parents, but I did work side by side with my father for 30 years, and when it came time for him to pass I sat by his bed side feeding him grapes and talking, watching him die, in reflection I believe after that I started waiting to die until it dawned on me that that is what I was doing. I think subconciously I was afraid of watching my mother die so even though I visited her on a daily basis I still kept a distance not wanting to watch her die, it seams now, she is in the hospital, had colon cancer surgery, she has leukemia and other disorders that now I am watching her die and I think of those 4 years that I lost, and will never get back!!
So in the end there are only our loved ones, and wile our art may last, life is short, art is long, our loved ones will not, and neither will we, hold them close, and be ready to say good by!!
Terry
tlmair.com

 

Drew

9 Years Ago

Terry, thank you for sharing such a personal experience with us. good advice my man.

 

Drew

9 Years Ago

Thank you all for participating in this thread. While most of you gracefully avoiding the question. I appreciate the candid response from those who did actually answer and stuck to the original postulate.
While spending time with family and friends of course is priority for most, 100% of one's time doing this isn't reality. For most of us, we do not know when our time will come. Why would we not treated every endeavor as if tomorrow may not come.

 

This discussion is closed.