|
Liberty
14” x 10” watercolor on paper
by Bill Hudson
Unframed original ……………….. $ 600
My references for this painting were AI images generated on Midjourney in response to variations of this prompt: “photorealism, high contrast and color, circa 1960, in New York City harbor. A wooden fishing vessel loaded with catch is returning to port on a misty summer morning. It is passing the Statue of Liberty with New York city in the far background, seagulls flying, --ar 7:5”
With a hundred or so resultant images, I chose portions of several to convey the mood, then drew the composition. With that began the process that only another artist can fully appreciate. …planning my approach and techniques and the order of each step … i.e. what will be painted wet-in-wet, damp, or dry, what areas should be saved or lifted, and what colors, values, tones, lighting, edges, details, shadows, and contrast will make the best composition.
With two days into the painting, philosophical thoughts came to mind, growing into deep reflections about our country, our history, and my 80 years of life experiences. I thought about:
-
My grandma Lipinski immigrating here from Poland
-
Hard working immigrant fishermen from countries like Portugal, Italy, Greece, etc.
-
Ellis Island
-
How France helped save our United States during the Revolutionary War
-
The Statue being a gift from France in 1885 to honor our democracy and the work of Abraham
Lincoln.
-
How we helped liberate France during WWI and WWII
-
The incredible freedoms and opportunities I had growing up in this, the land of the free.
During the painting process, I decided to add a crewman joyfully waving back to the Statue. Coincidentally, on that very day, the United States bombed Iran and I began to wonder about the thoughts in the mind of that fisherman.
Have you ever considered that life’s greatest gifts, those of real value, are so common they are overlooked? Rather than being fulfilled with a loving family, or a job that suits us, or a place to live, or a talent, good health, a passion, a purpose, a challenge, some adversity to overcome…we are lured by fame, wealth, and power because they are rare and consequently glorified.
The news reminds us daily that fame, fortune, and power come with a huge burden, whether held by an individual or a nation. Consequences can be tragic when they are used irresponsibly. Only as we grow older do we fully appreciate the incredible gift of freedom to choose and enjoy a simple, well-focused life with the means to help others.
| 
