Day 18. That’s how the Light Gets in

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“Ring the Bells that Still Can Ring” 20×24, oil on canvas [creativ_button url=”https://denisehopkinsfineart.com/shop/” icon=”” label=”Buy Now” colour=”blue” colour_custom=”” size=”medium” edge=”straight” target=”_self”]

Today’s painting is a continuation of yesterday’s explorations. I enjoyed the freedom of letting go of a little control and letting the paint do a some of the work, landing where it willed. The idea here is that when I’m free of representation– no bird, no musician– I take the paint on my palette knife and gently run it against the surface. The paint sticks to the parts that are the most elevated with texture and passes over the smoother areas. It creates interesting shapes of it’s own accord. I’m just trying to let it. Guide it.

As more of the “me too” posts came in yesterday, I thought more about it. And appropriately enough given I’ve started a musician series this month,  it was a song that comforted me as I did so–  Leonard Cohen’s “Anthem”. The lyrics are below. 

I had a really good day in the studio last night and this morning. I’m working on some birds, but I’m painting them in such a way that I think (hope) expresses the line from the song: “There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” You’ll see what I mean in tomorrow’s post. If you don’t want to miss it, be sure to subscribe to this blog. 

The birds, they sang 
At the break of day 
Start again 
I heard them say 
Don’t dwell on what 
Has passed away 
Or what is yet to be 
Ah, the wars 
They will be fought again 
The holy dove 
She will be caught again 
Bought and sold 
And bought again 
The dove is never free

Ring the bells that still can ring 
Forget your perfect offering 
There is a crack in everything 
That’s how the light gets in

We asked for signs 
The signs were sent: 
The birth betrayed 
The marriage spent 
Yeah the widowhood 
Of every government
Signs for all to see

I can’t run no more 
With that lawless crowd 
While the killers in high places 
Say their prayers out loud
But they’ve summoned, they’ve summoned up 
A thundercloud 
And they’re going to hear from me

Ring the bells that still can ring 
Forget your perfect offering 
There is a crack in everything 
That’s how the light gets in

You can add up the parts 
But you won’t have the sum 
You can strike up the march 
There is no drum 
Every heart, every heart 
To love will come 
But like a refugee

Ring the bells that still can ring 
Forget your perfect offering 
There is a crack, a crack in everything 
That’s how the light gets in

Ring the bells that still can ring 
Forget your perfect offering 
There is a crack, a crack in everything 
That’s how the light gets in 
That’s how the light gets in 
That’s how the light gets in

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