Douglas Witmer
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Monday, June 27, 2005
in memoriam
for Nina and Teresa, 2005
27.6.05 
8 Comments:
Just curious...who are Nina and Teresa? The image suggests some intimacy between two parties.
By 
GIERSCHICK, at
6/27/2005
Nina and Teresa the names of the miscarried twins of some close friends of ours. They were due to be born this past week and their memorial service was on Saturday. I made this painting for their parents.
By Douglas Witmer, at
6/27/2005
Very poignant...thanks for sharing the painting with us. What a great image to serve as a reminder of what - who - was lost. I really like the idea of a painting being a memorial. Much more intimate than marble or granite.
By GIERSCHICK, at
6/28/2005
Some years ago I read an article that made a lot of the connection between paint and skin. (It might have been in reference to de Kooning...can't remember.) Acrylic paint is basically liquified plastic, I know. But, as you say, there is a unique physical sensation about a painting and the skin metaphor can be guiding for me sometimes.
By Douglas Witmer, at
6/28/2005
This painting/situaton is part of an answer to the question, "what is our work for?" More so than striving for commercial success; here is a work that will live in someone's heart for a long while. I hope I'm not lauding you too much for comfort, but I am really struck with the possibilities.
By GIERSCHICK, at
6/29/2005
Lately I have begun some paintings that come from fairly specific experiences. Sometimes I have even had the title in mind as well. I have rarely titled work before completion. Typically I get things going and then move in the directions that come up as the work develops. But having "an end" toward which a painting is going has been a great way for me. The whole process feels like it has a momentum and an emotional support structure. There is still a lot of room for contemplation and intuition, but these works feel "intended" in a way that seems right to me.
By Douglas Witmer, at
6/29/2005
I wonder if you could say more about "anecdote" in your work...how important are the "found" shapes in your work? is it important that you "found" them? or is it important that you have made an anecdotal connection between the image and your real life? (if so, is this something you expect the viewer to know/understand--?)
By 
, at
7/06/2005
This is a great question, but difficult to answer. I intend to give it a shot, though, and I will likely make it into its own post so stay tuned.
By Douglas Witmer, at
7/07/2005