I was originally going to call this “Sojourners” but that seemed pretty obscure (not that “The Gleaners” is going to win any popularity contests). This image was inspired by a passage in Deuteronomy about orphans, widows, and aliens (or sojourners). Then I remembered the OT laws about over-harvesting fields and making sure to leave the second and third pass to those less fortunate than you. A subject that gets overlooked in these days of economic downturns and fiscal responsibility. I’ll be entering a print of this in my alumnus show in Boston this January.
It also reminded me of a great documentary by Agnes Vargas called “The Gleaners and I” about people learning to live modestly in a society drunk on abundance. You can see excerpts from it herehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKgjjEJvMbM
I would buy a print of this and frame it for our house. I love it.
Thanks Bryan,
Printing it out is the next step. Maybe you can give me some advice on how to get the most out of a print from digital. Looking so much like a hand made print I would like to follow through with that look as close as possible.
That is really terrific! It has such an “other cultural” feel, which I love!
Thanks Pete! Part of that feel is intentional…at least the part that makes the woman and child seem “other”. At the same time I wanted her to be beautiful and dignified. That’s also why I gave her traditional clothing…she may not be at home but she is still proud of where she comes from and celebrates her heritage in the way she is dressed.
Oh man, Daddy… these digital woodcuts of yours just keep getting more and more beautiful. The textures and patterns on her are so rich, and I especially am touched by the lines on her face… BTW you are making an appearance in a collection of ten images about my art, where it comes from and where it is going.
I am most flattered. I would love to see the other nine.
So, you haven’t posted since August?? Dude! How am I supposed to live up to my resolve to be more involved in the blogging… when you’re not blogging? I wonder if twitter’s more our thing?
Same goes for this piece as I said in the car – it looks created by hand, not by computer means. That always gets a heads up with me.
This has such a rich, hand-made quality to it – doesn’t look digital in the least. I’m the guy playing with the butterfly in the background. Beautiful stuff!
Thanks for keeping an eye on me John!
I let myself get broadsided this month with the semester starting and all. I have been working on art stuff but nothing I can post right now to show for it. I’ll be posting an update soon.
I appreciate your comments about hand-made quality. I’ve enjoyed working this way but it makes me want to try real woodcuts. For right now I’ll have to be satisfied with digital.