Why I Made Two Versions of My Birdsong Print
I Will Sing My stupid Song Anyway
In the first hour that I released my Birdsong print it was clear that it was resonating.
One collector bought two. One for themselves and one for a friend. She wrote:
I love this! I recently read a Margaret Wheatley book where she talks about being an “island of sanity” during times of uncertainty. I try to be this for my friends, family, colleagues and clients. Sometimes deciding it’s a good day because the sun is out and I got a nice walk with my dog makes me feel a little embarrassed since there is so much awfulness in the world, but I remind myself I am who I am and I’m doing my best!
A moment later, I received a different message from an old friend:
Dear Anne Louise
In a world where I can hardly relate to anything I relate to your words and your sentiment and your love so truly, but I cannot have the word stupid play any role or energy because a happy little songs are not stupid.
They are the light of the world, the love of the world. If folks stopped carrying a little tune we would be doomed... Consider removing the word. I love you thank you.
- Catherine
Dear Cathy,
For you, I will make a version without “stupid.”
I agree with you completely, but also — the phrase I wrote is faithful to what came to me — and helped me so much — in my studio that day after many months of debilitating grief over our world. It was a powerful breakthrough and expresses my frustration and resolve perfectly. I hope it will be cathartic and block-clearing for others who are feeling some version of this. I love you, too
- Anne-Louise
With love, I created a second version for Anyone who might feel some version of what Cathy feels.
One way or another, let us find our songs and sing them when we can.
Read more about the origin of my stupid print below:
My art is happy, but sometimes the weight of the world gets to me. As a creative person — as an empathetic person — it can be tremendously paralyzing.
If you're here reading this, I have to believe there's a good chance you can relate.
My hope, always, is to make art that has something to give — a moment of joy, peace, or liberation. But what happens when I feel I have nothing to give?
I made this defiant little painting during just such a searching moment of frustration in my studio. I was feeling overwhelmed by the news of the world — its pain and dysfunction — and by my own smallness in the face of it all. What difference can a painting make?
This painting arrived as a kind of personal talisman.
Whether or not there is proof in the moment that it matters, I realized that all things being equal, I would rather make art than not make art.
Sometimes it may feel like a small or inconsequential gesture. A bird singing its simple song.
Still — I will sing my stupid song anyway.
Because this is what I love. And the world needs love.
My hope is that this might bring you some of the same comfort and clarity it brought to me that day in my studio.
Good luck out there, friend.
