In The Churchyard - An Elegy
by VIVA Anderson
Title
In The Churchyard - An Elegy
Artist
VIVA Anderson
Medium
Painting - Watercolor - Abstract
Description
IN THE CHURCHYARD, a painting by VIVA Anderson. "The boast of heraldry,the pomp of pw'r. And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave, awaits alike th' inevitable hour. The paths of glory lead but to the grave." Thomas Gray.
This, I painted en plein air at Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire,UK. All the while I thought of Gray's Elegy,of those who've passed,and I felt not sorrow but the spirits' lives of those who rest here , in the ancient burial place. It behooved me to record their symbolic evidence of lives once precious.
'"The paths of glory lead but to the grave. ''
Thoughtful comments worthy of posting, with my sincere thanks to Josef Putsche::
'Viv.....Wonderful rich lesson learned here .".Bad things do happen; how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life. I can choose to sit in perpetual sadness, immobilized by the gravity of my loss, or I can choose to rise from the pain and treasure the most precious gift I have - life itself." Walter Anderson.'..............LF Josef .'
For some reason, this was not meant to be peaceful,calming. It is more so the writhing,squirming discomfort of inconsolable loss, piled up with gravestones . Don't know from whence in my psyche this came....but,out one day at a huge country property here, at an allowed sketch club, I stumbled upon a very small gathering of horribly broken gravestones from a child's grave! Can you imagine that? What if my baby's stone were crushed by vandals? I was so unnerved. Still am. Poor babe below, so deep I hope he didn't hear, and does not know....RIP, poor WORLD.
This is a very quick study, on Arches 300g fine art watercolor paper.
Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard by Thomas Gray.........excerpt....
"Let not Ambition mock their useful toil,
Their homely joys, and destiny obscure;
Nor Grandeur hear with a disdainful smile
The short and simple annals of the poor.
The boast of heraldry, the pomp of pow'r,
And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave,
Awaits alike th' inevitable hour.
The paths of glory lead but to the grave. "
.....................................................................................................................
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December 9th, 2015
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Comments (68)
James Metcalf
When I was in art school, I used to love to paint on location. We had a great instructor, Harry Wood, who looked and dressed like Abe Lincoln. He was a hoot, but a fantastic instructor.
VIVA Anderson replied:
Thanks James, for the Nice, Wowzzers!, and, all about your instructor....Ours that day also is/was irresistible and so inspiring, shorter than ol'Abe though, lol, Appreciate your share of 'the Artists' Life".....:) VIVA
Sharon W
A visit to your gallery with so much to view and admire. This painting and the reasons behind packed with so much emotion but also with such love and caring from your beautiful heart. No doubt if such things are possible, a healing occurred for this babe, through your own empathy, your painting, and your sharing of it. May it be so.
VIVA Anderson replied:
May it be so! Dearest Sharon, Thank you!🌺, and, your sweet soul has made my life rich with hope and joy. I humbly thank YOU! 🌺🥰VIVA
VIVA Anderson
"The boast of heraldry,the pomp of pw'r. And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave, awaits alike th' inevitable hour. The paths of glory lead but to the grave." Thomas Gray.
VIVA Anderson
Jenny, I am so honoured by your feature of In The Churchyard at The Artists Group, 7/16/20.....Thank you very much............VIVA
Jenny Revitz Soper
CONGRATULATIONS! It is my great pleasure to FEATURE your artwork on the homepage of The Artists Group, 7/16/2020! You are invited to post it in the Group's Features Discussion thread for posterity or any other thread that fits!
DANNY LOWE
Unfortunately there are vandals in the world, even here in my own county. The stones have their own stories and what comes to mind is Edgar Lee Masters' Spoon River Anthology.
VIVA Anderson replied:
Danny, thank you, as always, for your empathy, and book reference...You are such a lovely gentle-man. I am honoured by your visit, thoughts...VIVA
Chance Kafka
so terrible that the gravestones were disturbed.. nothing is sacred and vandals will destroy anything they can find.. there is a lot of sickness and darkness in this world as your words convey.. it is hard for a realist like me to ever be super happy knowing how much bad there is in the world.. and it motivates to me to portray as much light, happiness and beauty in my artworks and photographs as I can
VIVA Anderson replied:
I think you must continue to portray YOUR light, Chance.....it removes the darkness within and without, I know b/c I love your 'light'/your Art. And thank you for resonating with this story. Sometimes, here in Oz, they use huge machinery,and I'm going to decide to think this an accident of that sort, not deliberate......but, yes, those who cause harm, mentally or physically, are already damaged, themselves......they have no 'light', more's the pity........stay safe,Chance....thanks again,VIVA
Marsha Reeves
When I read about the child's gravestone, this painting gave me a chill. Sadly, all of us are probably going to have our gravesite disturbed and turned into condominiums. l/f
VIVA Anderson replied:
Thanks , Marsha, for your visit,l/f,and thoughts .. m'thinks most of us will rest in peace,hopefully. It was 'chilling' unforgettable..this,the outpouring........VIVA
Dominique Amendola
wonderful artwork!
VIVA Anderson replied:
Dominique, thanks so very much......VIVA...... The boast of heraldry, the pomp of pow'r,... And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave,... Awaits alike th' inevitable hour.... The paths of glory lead but to the grave. "
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