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Girl With Two Faces
Medium:
Oil, acrylic, and antique skeleton keys on gallery-wrapped canvas
Dimensions:
24"w x 30"h
Original available for purchase:
Private Collection / Springdale, Utah
Available in Giclee:
No
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This painting is marked as "SOLD"; But it actuality it was an intended gift from the moment the idea was conceived
on Christmas night, 2004.
This is a portrait of a woman whom I will refrain from naming. She is the co-owner and operator of a Gallery I was previously
affiliated with. At the time, I thought of this lady an angel, with a sweet personality and soul (which is why she was depicted
with a halo).
I consider this woman herself is a very gifted painter. She had her portfolio stolen from her car a few years back, and
shared with me that she has not had the desire to resume painting. This portrait shows the lady's past (the broken heart
speared by a paintbrush, not yet healed). It also shows --what was at the time this piece was painted - her present (the
wine glass, symbolic of the wine and dessert Bistro that she ran with - in my perception - love)
Finally, the painting was a symbol of what I hoped will be her future. The edges of this portrait are lined with antique
skeleton keys. The keys appear in may of my paintings, and are always symbolic of the opening of new doors. They were included
on the edges as an invitation to this woman to pick up the paintbrush, and let her future be filled with the beautiful paintings
that are waiting to be brought into being.
On the back side of the painting, I mounted a small gift: one of my favorite paintbrushes, brand new and ready to be
untied when she feels compelled, and put to use.
Since the time this painting was completed, things have changed a great deal in our relationship. What I though should
have been a minor disagreement, if not chalked up to bad timing or circumstances, or bad dispositions on both sides, became
an all-out nasty small scale war. Although I tried to invite her to meet me halfway, put our differences behind us, agree
to disagree, she spit in my had metaphorically. This resulted in my pulling out of her gallery and seeking alternative representation
for my work, and it has prevented us from speaking since November 2006.
I was shocked at how unwilling this woman - whom I almost thought of as family and frequently called "my sister"
- was to try to mend fences. When I set aside my "arms" and let down all my defenses, saying nothing is more important
than our friendship...let's work it out.....she turned her cheek.
So, for me...sadly..."Girl With Two Faces" is a painting (portrait) that unintentionally and unexpectedly became
a prophecy. I saw only the angel side of my friend first, but then I experienced the dogmatic, unforgiving, hard and cold
side that would not let her soften her heart even to preserve a broken friendship.
It is with great sadness that I write this, but life goes on. My heart holds no grudges or ill will. Just a sadness at
the pointlessness and loss of a person who used to be a good friend.
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