irises

i was just remembering how i always used to ask this artist friend of mine to paint me a nice flower arangement or something. And he would always say, "you can't do that, you can't just say that to an artist." We would argue about the ethics of it all. i couldn't understand why he wouldn't just paint something "pretty." It's funny now because i can't imagine thinking like that.

We have this art exhibit now at the coffee shop where i work, and i was flipping through the large, neo-over-impressionistic canvases when i ran across a reproduction of Van Gogh's Irises. i'm not gonna lie i actually found the piece pleasing, but then i had to think - this was not an original idea. What was this guy thinking when he painted this? Was he really overwhelmed by all the pressures of the business side of things? did he give in to the mediocre suggestions of a friend? had he hit a wall? was he coming from an inspiration-less relationship? did he feel guilty while he was painting this piece? was he ashamed? or did he even think twice about it? maybe he does classic reproductions a lot. maybe he's even forgotten that he has his own style. maybe he's even forgotten how to sign his own name...

the first poem i ever remember writing was called Iris. i was in the second grade. it went something like this.

purlple Iris in the light
purlple Iris shining bright
bright, shiny Iris
the end.