It is a widely accepted notion among painters that it does not matter what one paints as long as it is well painted […] There is no such thing as good painting about nothing.
—Mark Rothko
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I have often said, often without much grace, that the subject for a painting is secondary, not really that important so long as the painting says something, expresses feeling and evokes emotion within the viewer. I think the work of Mark Rothko is a good example of this sentiment. They are simple of blocks of opposing colors set one over the other or, as in the case of the piece above, one alongside another.
Seemingly without subject.
Seemingly about nothing.
But as Rothko states, there is no such thing as a good painting about nothing. And this is a good painting. It allows the viewer’s own emotions into its space, lets their own story become the story and subject of this work. That space is the subject and purpose of this work.
So, every picture does tell a story. Some dictate the story, forcing the viewer to follow a set storyline through the picture as though they were the plot of a murder-mystery novel. Others do so like a song or poetry, evoking feeling with a suggestion or a gentle nudge. The viewer here is complicit in the fulfillment of the art.
For myself, I prefer the latter but have enjoyed works with more obvious subjects. Perhaps not as deeply felt but enjoyable nonetheless. I still question where my work falls on this scale. I am sure it has been both and I know I am much more satisfied when it appears more poetic. But being able to dictate the nature of the work is often beyond me. It sometimes appears in the poetic form seemingly on its own, without my direction.
And that is most satisfying. And elusive.
All this being said is mere pretense for this week’s Sunday Morning Music. It’s a cover of Rod Stewart‘s classic song, Every Picture Tells a Story, done by the Georgia Satellites back in 1986. I always liked their version of this song and hope it’ll kick off your Sunday on a high note. Have a great day!
Redtree Times 
Your paintings are poetry. This is what brought me to them and what keeps bringing me back.
Thanks so much. Glad you keeping coming back…
Humans are communicators. It’s what we do. We do it because we can’t not. You are wired to communicate through the medium of shape, color and texture. Someone else might be wired to communicate through the pitches and tones of sounds. Another might be wired to communicate through the words and meanings of language. Nobody has nothing to say. Even not communicating communicates. A late, much lamented friend, when he telephoned, would invariably begin the conversation with “I’m here; are you there?” The wonder of it is that everybody’s “here” is different; and the miracle of it is that sometimes, the answer to that question is, “Yes.” You paint because you are a painter, and you can’t not paint. What more validation or justification do you need? Your struggles with your paintings are the same struggles anyone has when they attempt to communicate. In attempting to say what you mean, it’s all too easy to get tangled up in trying to work out what it is you mean to say. Forget all that “Meaning” and “Symbolism” and all those other things in quotes with initial capitals to make them look important. The only thing really worth saying is “I’m here; are you there?” I’ve seen your “here’s” I like them. And yes, I’m there.
Well put words which I appreciate. I have often thought of myself as more of a communicator than a painter– I just stumbled across painting as the best means for me to communicate. If it wasn’t painting I would still be trying to communicate in some way, trying to let the world know that I am here and hopefully hearing that response that you are there. Thanks…