During a career as a professional artist for the past 50 years, I have become accustomed to painting unexpected subjects. Especially, it seems, when I’m living in Valencia, Spain. For example, a lovely young friend here once asked me to paint her unclothed (her, not me) because “I’ll never again have the beautiful body I have now. I want to show my grandchildren what I used to look like.”
Then last week my friend Paco asked for a favor. He showed me an oil painting of a woman and wondered if I wouldn’t mind destroying it for him. It was a traditional portrait of his deceased aunt, painted by a well-known Valencian artist in 1974. By “destroying” it, he meant defacing it: Miguel, he said, you can do whatever you want with this woman, especially if you paint a big red X over her. Whatever you do, I’m going to keep her and hang her above my desk.
Evidently he and his aunt did not get along. Had she willed the painting to him out of spite because she knew that he would have had to pay a hefty inheritance tax on it? Was he going to save her defaced image in order to spite her, even in her grave? (He and I will have to talk.)
Meanwhile, yes, I said, but no red X’s! I’ll transform her, but into something beautiful we can both be proud of. So during these next few weeks, I’ll share with you the story of his aunt’s metamorphosis.
Here’s an image of her portrait and my first response: to cut a blindfold out of the fabric of an old umbrella so that her ghost won’t be able to see what I’m up to.
More images will follow in a few days. Thank you for staying in touch.
She looks better already!
Haha, yeah, Stan, I think you are right!
Bigger changes are in store, however and soon she’ll look splendid.
Meanwhile, I’ve been meaning to thank you for your previous comments about the woman you saw on the street in Nevada City from inside the coffee shop. “I’ll see him at the next taiji session, and thank him then,” I thought. Then I missed the session, or you were in Europe. Whatever the case, our paths haven’t crossed because now I’m in Spain and won’t get back to paradise until Thanksgiving. So thank you anyway for your insightful thoughts. I’ll thank you again when we meet again.
Meanwhile, if you’re interested in reading a page-turner, check out Carlos Ruiz Zafón’s novels, esp. “Shadow of The Wind.” It’s about forgotten books, Barcelona, fascism in Spain, indelible characters, etc. You know, all the good stuff page-turners offer.
See you soon. And thanks again for writing.
Espero fumando, como dicen (decían) los españoles. ¡Caso interesantísimo!
Un abrazo,
Wes
Great story I look forward to the continuing saga.