John Mallord William Turner (1775-1851)

[sweetsalome]

I saw some of William Turner's paintings while we were at the Getty, and I thought to myself: how beautiful they are, look at the light, look how everything glows. I fell in love with him, with the lights and the brightness of his work.

Here || Here || Here

I love the water, love the massive intensity of both water and air that seems to take over every single part of the painting. Everything is engulfed in it, wrapped up in the light and the waves. They are pure power, pure might, the ships are held up by the massive waves, they destroy the light as well as they uplift it. It is beautiful as well frightening. How could something so beautiful be so deadly, so horrible? What kind of man could see life in such a way? It seemed too bright, to ethereal.

Until I figured out who he really was.

The gritty horror, the black, wretched horridness that he captured and made . . . beautiful. It's death, but death that has been defeated, look at the skeleton on the horse, it lays limp against the back of the white steed. Turner has seemingly triumphed over death, and brings back the hope of a bright new future.

I understand him, this bright light over shadowed by a need for change and relief. To be so full of light, to see it everywhere, but to tear it all down, to put up a new picture, a new life. Turner draws you in, attacks you and then push you back. He is enthralling and he is appalling, because as much as you fear what you are seeing: (drowning slaves, plagues upon Egypt, death on a pale horse) you can't help but find it beautiful.

Because when you stare at the magnificent angel, in all it's grace and majesty, you know that it brings judgment and damnation.

Deep down, isn't that what life is, what art is? The horror and the glory all rolled up into one package. Light and darkness, heaven and hell, you are forced to deal with what is set before you. That's why I love him, why I love my life, and the art that I want to surround myself with. It's not always welcoming and warm, but its real and it engulfs you and drags you under.

This is all there is.  Liquid calm, raging chaos, love, hate, bitterness and such sweetness that it makes your soul ache. 

    I only wish, sometimes, that I had his talent.  What skill, what amazing passion can two hands make! 

Comments

[zippyknowsbest.livejournal.com]

This was lovely, hon. You ever think about teaching art? You can share art with people even if you don't craft it yourself.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

Me?! Oh, no I am not smart enough, too little! Grins I was thinking about studying art history in college though!

[zippyknowsbest.livejournal.com]

*chuckles* You should go for it. Studying art history, and maybe teaching. Who says you're not smart enough? You have a passion for it, and that's more than a lot of bad professors have.

[pdg-mortie.livejournal.com]

If you don't stop saying you can't do things...

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

But I can't paint! beams but I think it is so beautiful, isn't it?

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

Maybe I am just worried then, ya know? That's a lot of work. I am worried I won't be able to follow through, but I'll try!

[zippyknowsbest.livejournal.com]

Nu? So? Life's a lotta work. Look, it's better to try and fail than never try at all. We are made to work, it's what G-d designed us for. We are happier trying to do stuff, even if we never succeed, than we are being idle.

I can crack a whip if you want.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

You know, I never thought about it that way. I guess I just thought about how horrible failing would be. Grins.

A whip really? You are swell to me, Zippy! I think that would help though.

[zippyknowsbest.livejournal.com]

So go out and do, shiksa. *makes 'go, go' motions with her hands*

Ha, I love that you say 'swell.' You make me think of the fifties.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

I can't go now! But I will, I promise! What does Shiksa mean?!

That's because everything is swell, that and I watch a lot of Nick at Night.

[zippyknowsbest.livejournal.com]

Why not?

'Shiksa' just means a non-Jewish girl. Sometimes it can be deragatory. In your case I mean it fondly.

Haha. Dick van Dyke?

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

Because I haven't even graduated high school yet! Giggles.

Oh that's very interesting to know, I like that! You know, you could mean it in a unfondly manner and I would never know.

You bet! I love all those old tv shows.

[zippyknowsbest.livejournal.com]

Oh. Okay, that's a good reason. Huh, I thought you were older. Well, even so, you could take some community college classes on the side, you know. Get a head start.

*chuckles* I'd probably call you something else if I meant it unfondly.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

Me, older? Seesh! I wish, though I am going to be eighteen in August! I can't wait! Really, I can do that? That's not a bad idea, plus I can take some and see if I REALLY like it.

*Big grin* You wouldn't do that though, you are too nice.

[zippyknowsbest.livejournal.com]

There you go then. Better get any last really rambunctious behavior outta the way before you hit 18, so you can be tried as a juvie. *winks*

Ha! That's what you think.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

That's what dad always says, but I don't plan on knocking over any banks or anything! *Giggles.* Still, I'll keep it in mind.

You aren't nice?

[zippyknowsbest.livejournal.com]

I'm nice to those people what deserve it. So far you do.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

Well I will sure to never un-deserve it! I don't like it when people are angry with me, and I don't want to cheese you off! Golly.

[zippyknowsbest.livejournal.com]

*laughs* And you say golly. You are... something, Salome.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

I watched the music man! Remember the mayor's oldest daughter? She always said: "Golly gee!" I think she got into my brain some how!