Comments on Los Angelista's Guide To The Pursuit Of Happiness: Selective Imagery

Heart,Ten years later I'm just seeing your comment...

2007-07-29T22:20:00.000-07:00

Heart,
Ten years later I'm just seeing your comment! I often think about the reality that women like these must have lived and I just admire that spirit that kept them going. I definitely think that spirit is captured in this picture.

I have never seen this painting. I googled it and ...

2007-07-26T19:10:00.000-07:00

I have never seen this painting. I googled it and it's so beautiful. The women look so real, and it's easy to imagine them as members of their families, working together and perhaps keeping each other's spirits up during the day as office workers do in our society.

And then when you remember the probable reality of their lives, their dignity and natural elegance is really breathtaking.

Thank you for turning me onto this wonderful work of art. I was only familiar with Homer's better-known works.

Ian,I am infinitely fascinated by how Homer was ab...

2007-07-25T06:54:00.000-07:00

Ian,
I am infinitely fascinated by how Homer was able to see the humanity of black folks and depict them with such dignity and normalcy. It makes me wonder if he grew up in an Abolitionist household or something like that, because you're right, such depictions were unheard of.

And of course you can add my blog to your list. :) Believe me, you aren't alone when it comes to writing challenges.

I love the work of Winslow Homer, and thanks for m...

2007-07-24T16:44:00.000-07:00

I love the work of Winslow Homer, and thanks for mentioning it. And also, considering the time in which he was painting, realistic, honest and sympathetic depictions of black Americans was virtually unheard of. The derelict sailor on the ravaged schooner in Gulf Stream is of course black as well.
I like your blog very much and will visit again. I would like to add your name to my list, if I might.Thank you for your comments on dialggue difficulties. Made me feel like I wasn't alone.
Cheers,
Ian

Miz JJ,I know, I wish it didn't make a difference ...

2007-07-24T16:25:00.000-07:00

Miz JJ,
I know, I wish it didn't make a difference either.

I wish it did not make it a difference, but it cle...

2007-07-24T12:33:00.000-07:00

I wish it did not make it a difference, but it clearly does.

DJBA,Definitely visit because it's well worth it.....

2007-07-24T03:19:00.000-07:00

DJBA,
Definitely visit because it's well worth it...and you can either do the La Brea Tar Pits or Petersen Automotive Museums on the same day since they're right next door.

Dena,
Exactly. Art should inspire and provoke. You make me think about how is it that sometimes folks can be moved to create things that are repulsive, simply for shock value. It may provoke and inspire a reaction but is that reaction really putting a positive energy into the world? Interesting to think about...and I'm still wondering about these two beautiful women in the painting.

Bygbaby,
See, yet another reason for you and your honey to make LA your next anniversary destination. That way you can see this picture live and in person.

Thx for this piece! I googled "The Cotton Pickers...

2007-07-23T22:55:00.000-07:00

Thx for this piece! I googled "The Cotton Pickers by Winslow Homer" found it very striking. I wish I could see a larger version to asked the same questions and maybe a few more.

Bygbaby

i believe that art is suppose to inspire and provo...

2007-07-23T10:45:00.000-07:00

i believe that art is suppose to inspire and provoke. what a great way to learn about and understand our history's. i just love the questions you asked about these two women. the answers might not ever be clear to us, but the discussions are endless :-)

Fascinating. I must visit that museum the next tim...

2007-07-23T10:10:00.000-07:00

Fascinating. I must visit that museum the next time I am out in LA.

Jameil,That's so great that you were able to acces...

2007-07-22T18:55:00.000-07:00

Jameil,
That's so great that you were able to access Hampton's collection on such a regular basis. I'm sure it gives you a sense of place, a sense of pride that those of us who haven't seen all those pictures may not necessarily know we're missing.

It was completely by chance that I saw The Cotton Pickers the other day. LACMA had a collection of Dan Flavin's sketches and paintings on the second floor so I went up to see them. Then I just kept walking around and wandered into an American decorative arts wing. My mom creates that kind of work so I decided to check it out. And that's when I came across the painting.

More and more I believe there are no accidents in life so I think I was somehow meant to see this painting. I hope you're able to connect with some art as well in Pittsburgh...and then you'll write some more stuff on your blog to inspire us all! ;)

Angela,
I'm sure you don't lack an appreciative sensitivity at all. The questions you ask about the two women in this painting are similar to mine. 1876, when this was painted, was only 11 years post-Civil War. I wonder whose land they're picking cotton on and how (or if) they feel their circumstances have changed for the better now that they're free.

The fact that we wonder all this is a sign that Winslow Homer was able to capture an essence of the soul in his paintings. You don't have to be an expert to sense those things. Also, I think some people try to be the gatekeepers to art and try to make it seem more complex than it actually is, like you've got to have a PhD in art history in order to be able to fully appreciate what's what. I always like it when we can hear the artist's own words on what was meant by the work. Everything else is just speculation. So go have fun at your local museum! :)

I have to admit to being a bit baffled by the art ...

2007-07-22T11:47:00.000-07:00

I have to admit to being a bit baffled by the art world--I sometime stare at paintings, sculptures and other mediums and wonder what I'm supposed to be seeing or feeling. Of course, the answer is whatever I want, but then I listen to the comments others make about the works and I realize that perhaps I lack a certain sensitivity that would enable me to fully appreciate the experience. For that reason, I've stayed away from galleries and museums.

Now I wish I hadn't. This painting has also captured my heart, and made me wonder. I've often thought about what my ancestors might have felt or thought during slavery. Did they dream of freedom, or did they push the thought aside for fear that it might drive them insane? Did they just concentrate on picking that one row of cotton, then move on to the next, thinking no further than the end of the day when they rest and possibly eat something? I guess I'll never know, but this painting has caused me to re-visit these questions. Isn't that what art is supposed to do? Cause us to wonder and reflect about humanity? Maybe I will have to spend some time at the Crocker Art Museum here in Sacramento to find the answer. Thanks for this post, Liz!

john biggers also does some bangin work. "the ban...

2007-07-22T11:10:00.000-07:00

john biggers also does some bangin work. "the banjo player" is one of my faves. hampton university's museum on campus is one of the oldest af-am museums in the country. i was a regular. i loved the ever-changing exhibits. pittsburgh has TONS of museums and i haven't been to one. i researched a million when i first moved here and haven't followed through. look who's being an inspiration! thanks liz.