I was born a Valentine’s baby, only the day before, and I have always felt as if narrowly missing the day has had some effect on my romantic endeavors. Is the way the stars aligned why I feel so detached in my relationships, why I avoid them entirely, or why I love in great spurts of fanaticism before I decide to throw in the towel?
I was drawn to “Love Sick” in part because of this, and in part perhaps by the way the stars were aligned on the night that I saw it. I am sentimental in that way, though I don’t believe the stars had anything to do with it. I was drawn in the same way I am drawn to all good art by the method, medium, and simply the tug of the soul when I approached. This medium is a shadow box and embroidered paper, and the method is haphazard in a way, the strings tugged in every direction, even hanging out the back, but it all serves to further my interpretation of the work– the messiness of love and romantic attraction– the lengths to which we will go to tie it all together.
This piece hangs high on my wall on a nail that once held a painting of my own. Art can be transient, and art can be treasured. Soon it will hang permanently in my home collection in its own spot post-relocation, where it deserves to be.
Thanks to 500x for hosting the show where I acquired this work and for the role they play in the artistic community here in Dallas.
Pictured below: “Love Sick”, Ashley Whitt, @ashleywhittfineart
