THIS REMINDS ME OF ... ME

 By JoAnn Frekot

Many of us who appreciate art find a special connection to paintings that speak to us on a personal level.  Sometimes these are works that we were exposed to as children; other times these paintings grab our attention at certain points in our adult lives.  

Here are a few examples from members of our studio when asked, What paintings do you have a special personal connection to, and why?

Vera Kent

I immediately thought of "Girl Running With Wet Canvas," by Norman Rockwell.  It reminds me of both a younger version of myself and a future version of myself as I embark upon going to college for art!

My favorite painting of all time is "Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose," by John Singer Sargent, which evokes a serious nostalgia for me.  I have four sisters.  The familiar pose of the two girls and the magical air of the painting brings back sweet summer evenings spent digging for nasturtium flowers and eating dinner in the yard.

Katharine Gotham

Great question!  The painting that reminds me of myself is Matisse's "The Green Stripe"  -- a portrait of the artist's wife Amelie done in 1905. I had a print of this painting in my ceramic studio for many years.  The dark hair reminds me of myself, but I also thought a lot about how distant and vacant she seems in contrast to the vivid colors surrounding her.  

I always imagine that she, too, had artistic ambitions but wasn't able to fulfill them as a woman born in the 1800's.  Seeing it reminds me to never take for granted my ability to make art, because at another time, I might not have been able to.  

JoAnn Frekot

In former times (not so much now), married women formally went by "Mrs (Husband's First Name) (Husband Last's Name)," as in "Mrs. John Doe."

My former spouse's name is Carl Meyer, and when I was married, I was sometimes addressed as "Mrs. Carl Meyer."  

And, we had two daughters.

So, "Mrs. Carl Meyer and Her Children," by John Singer Sargent, has a special resonance for me.  Although we rarely dressed up in fancy gowns with satin and lace.  

And then there is "American Gothic," by Grant Wood.  My parents loved this painting, and at one point posed for a photograph to mimic the couple.  

Mr. and Mrs. John Frekot :)

A search through the Frekot family archives yielded this accompanying photo.  Although not an exact replica of Grant Wood's painting, it does feature my father holding a pitchfork.