It has never been one of my strongest qualities. But then again it may have never been many artists’ best traits. We are visual people and words cannot define what we do.
I have seen famous artists name their paintings with vague titles. Or is it that the name is just not that important. Arrangement in Grey and Black No.1 popularly known as Whistler’s Mother is interesting at least. Picasso’s Blue Period is a visual and colorful title. I am sure you have read names of paintings and wondered, where did that come from though most make some kind of sense. Maybe numbering them is a good option and keeping to a period like Picasso?
I thought it would be fun to find some sayings I could use to name my last painting, but even these did not inspire me. Though some did amuse me.
“Little boats should keep near shore”
– Benjamin Franklin
“The water is the same on both sides of the boat”
– Finnish Proverb
“A rising tide lifts all boats”
– Proverb
“You can’t row a boat in two directions at the same time”
– Charles Bower
Thinking these over and laughing some, I liked the “Little boats should keep near the shore”. Though this seemed a little long for me. I would rather have something like “Boats near the shore” or “Little boats by shore”. Maybe painting boats in Bluffton SC.
It is not an easy task to name a painting. The words don’t convey what I was feeling or trying to capture at the time of my painting it. Maybe some could relate to that title.
Possibly I should be more emotional with my naming. Like “Study in Oranges and Blues” or “My Graphic Impression” or “Graphic Interpretation”. I think I like that best.
“Graphic Interpretation of Boats on Water”, 18 x 24 inches, oil on panel
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© 2013 Daryl Urig
