Passing storm

Dear Artist,

Late yesterday afternoon and then again all last night a terrific storm passed through this island. Helpless boats tramped at their moorings and became swamped. The Alexander Mackenzie bashed heavily against the skimpy dock. Fortunately I was able to beach her and get her pulled above the highest tide.

Seascape Study with Rain Cloud (Rainstorm over the Sea,) 1824-1828
oil on paper by John Constable

The barometer had dropped hard. There was a black cloud swelling out from the north. Emily the Airedale had been acting strangely. The morning’s painting had been peaceful pools and tranquil reflections. Then the storm took center stage. It’s what happens to things that makes them interesting: Trees writhing like dervishes. White crested waves surrendering their tops. A tug and her barges gamboling by at twice her speed — barely able to keep ahead of her rope.

The search for effective art is often merely the search for the adjectives that we can put to our nouns: blown seascape, driven rain, fallen giants, frowning clouds, rolling grass, trembling leaves, escaping crows. We all claim our own. Some of these combinations are commonplace; some are unique and specific. On other days there may be playful children, wizened characters, dedicated hunters, speeding skiers, delicate dancers. In the roulette-wheel of world and mind there can also be tortured memories, shocking dreams, troublesome fears or personal angst. In the art business there are no restrictions and we are but the conveyors of the more valuable emotions. In life and art a passing storm helps to spin the wheel.

Barges on the Stour, with Dedham Church in the Distance, 1811
oil sketch by John Constable

Back in the woodland cabin my wet clothes are drying around a spanking hearth. In the distance I can hear a neighbor bucking and clearing the alders that fell across our roadway during the night. A few people are moving around the island, picking up the pieces. Sweet sunshine.

Best regards,

Robert

PS: “The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reasons for staying ashore.” (Vincent van Gogh)

Esoterica: At times like this it’s good to trust the skies. John Constable said there was a lifetime in them. While they are plastic and moldable, they can be loaded with anticipation, fear and anxiety. And everything below a horizon line is infected with their moods.

This letter was originally published as “Passing storm” on May 7, 2002. 

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“There is nothing ugly; I never saw an ugly thing in my life: for let the form of an object be what it may, – light, shade, and perpective will always make it beautiful.” (John Constable)

Woman preparing chappaathi
oil painting

Featured Artist

Ramya Sadasivam

I, Ramya Sadasivam, have been practicing art since 2006. I so love to portray Indian culture, customs, day to day chores of the hard-working laborers, happy village life and life of women. I love to capture the difference in values between the shadows and bright light and also I like to capture genuine emotion.