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“A Tune without the Words” 4×4, oil on canvas, $80.00
Today’s painting is a second attempt at this little open-mouthed European robin. The first attempt is in the trash. It wasn’t working. It really wasn’t working, and I kept trying to force it to work. A new canvas and a new day made all the difference. Getting to try again is one of the best parts about painting.
I like to imagine that this bird is having a conversation with yesterday’s cardinal: “Hey man,” he says, “it’s going to be okay…Hope is the thing with feathers. Let’s go perch in a soul somewhere.”
What do you think they are saying?
“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –
And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –
And sore must be the storm –
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm –
I’ve heard it in the chillest land –
And on the strangest Sea –
Yet – never – in Extremity,
It asked a crumb – of me.
–Emily Dickinson