Oil Pencil, pastel, watercolor
10″x12″
2013
In terms of the title?…..This is probably the most revealing portrait of Herve I’ve ever done, despite its not showing more than even 1/8th of his face, and, yes, I’m well aware of the difference between various definite articles in English.
Two facts: (1) Barcelona, to which Herve introduced me years ago, is, I suppose, my favorite city in the world…for various reasons I couldn’t quite name, and (2) I actually didn’t think much about the actual Herve while painting this; I was thinking of two letters I’ve recently had from my friend, Heather Robinson (an American travel writer who lives in Arles).
I should also add that I know that, should I become posthumously famous, folks will be making comments about “The Cross & The Sword!”. Just for the record?…sometimes a television antennae is just a television antennae, and a sheet-metal rain-guard is just a sheet-metal rain guard. I didn’t, however, notice either of those until I finished the painting…which (come to think of it) might very well prove a Freudian critic’s point…..
I don’t expect the picture (or at least its title) will make much sense unless you go to the following link (and I should add that Herve is a fine and conscientious doctor, who put himself through medical school by working nights as a nurse in the brawling public wards of a Paris hospital. All in all?….a good man). Go to the always-fine singer/songwriter, Carrie Newcomer’s “The Fisher King” at:
Down the road and to the left
It’s never been any further
To find the thing that you never lost
who serves, who serves the grail
Are you the one that’s common born,?
Are you a fool in many ways?
Have you searched half your life,
looking for some Holy Grail?
Did you see it in a dream,
a vision once when you were young?
Does the circle lead you back,
to the place where you’d begun?
Are you the one he left behind,
or was it you to finally leave?
The one who always wore your heart,
out for anyone to see….
Brow to brow and side to side,
Palm to palm and Toe to toe
Had you really no idea,
how far and deep an echo goes?
Down the road and to the left
It’s never been any further
To find the thing you never lost
who serves, who serves the grail
Are you the pilgrim on the road,
Are you the hermit in the wood?
Have you followed what you know,
what you want, or what you should?
Have you learned a thing or two;
have you wondered at the time?
In your dark night of the soul,
am I the one you thought you’d find?
Grace and laughter, ever after, sorrow folds her hands together
Was it all and did you mean it,
In the dark you’ve always seen a
Bright and shining true idea
I am the wound that will not heal.
I am the song you cannot sing.
I am the endless restless ache.
I am I am the fisher king
And all that I can ask of you,
is do what small good that you can
Speak the words I long to hear,
and to meet me where I am
Down the road and to the left
It’s never been any further
To find the thing you never lost
who serves, who serves the grail