If I had an Orchard « Gray Sparrow

If I had an Orchard

January 23rd, 2012

I created this painting a while back, but I never had a chance to share it here. It is called “If I had an Orchard.” It was the piece I was painting right before Harriet Orchard came into the world. We were listening to the Fleet Foxes over and over again on repeat.

I was raised up believing I was somehow unique
Like a snowflake distinct among snowflakes, unique in each way you can see
And now after some thinking, I’d say I’d rather be
A functioning cog in some great machinery serving something beyond me

If I had an orchard, I’d work till I’m raw
If I had an orchard, I’d work till I’m sore
And you would wait tables and soon run the store

Growing up on an apple orchard, the song had special resonance for me. It is a beautiful picture of getting our hands dirty and working the soil. I love that this piece will forever remind me of my childhood but also the special time right before Harriet was born.

FYI – I painted on raw canvas and then stitched the entire piece down to a canvas I built.

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