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Sunday, June 6, 2010

I Know Why the Gilded Bird Sings

by Lee Ann Robins

But I don't know why Kathy keeps putting English peas in her paintings. They keep showing up--see, down there on the left. One would suspect her of homage to LeSueur, but I happen to know Kathy loathes English peas ("They're mushy"), yet still they keep coming up. On occasion, she disguises them by painting them scarlet, but she's not fooling me. The latest painting, sitting unfinished on her easel, I'm looking at right now and the composition is a butterfly on a gold background fluttering away from the peas, in this incarnation square--but still green. Like we wouldn't recogize them. I name it in my head: Butterflies Are Free (with peas).

The Gilded Lily requested Kathy's green bird painting and then put it front and center, which surprised and excited us as we were driving downtown today and saw it all spotlit, dominating their display. She leapt out to peer at it and I pulled the camera from my purse and snapped. I like this picture, and it's a rare occasion when I take one of Kathy and she doesn't make me delete it. Today is the first real day of our summer. I call it a good omen (with peas).

I Know Why the Gilded Bird Sings


Redemption Song

7 comments:

Ozstuff said...

I loved the story, photo and above all this whimsical bird with peas. Fantastic artwork and great entertainment. AND I just noticed that the code word to post this comment is SPUNGT. What a great name for a painting!

Kim Mailhot said...

Yay for the amazing artist that is Kathy McCullen ! How magnificent that painting looks in that window... Oh, and a big yay too for Sister Love !(with or without peas...;)
Happy Summer, Lovely Ladies !!!!

Janet Ghio said...

How great to see your painting front and center in the window! And now i am going to start looking for those peas in your paintings!

Terri Kahrs said...

Hmmm . . . maybe the "peas" have a hidden meaning!!! LOVE the vivid color of Kathy's green bird painting against all of the muted colors in the shop window. It 'sings'!!! Nice capture of your sister, Sis!!! Hugs, Terri xoxo

~*~Patty said...

Wonderful Wonderful and Wonderful :)
Peas on Earth!!!
oxo

Marit said...

It's good to visit here on a Saturday afternoon, it's good to suck in the bright colours of Kathy's work, it's even better to see her standing in front of that shop-window admiring her own work (or checking if they didn't damage it.. teehee) Thanks for the energy-refill!

Unknown said...

I just happened upon your blog and while scrolling and enjoying all the art... I came across the picture of The Gilded Lily. I thought to myself could this be Monroe, GA? It is! I lived in Monroe for 5 years! A year ago we moved to TX. Wow! What a small world! Love your blog! It's very inspiring!