Michaels Journey Painting by Terrance DePietro

Michael's Journey

by Terrance DePietro

Title

Michael's Journey

Artist

Terrance DePietro

Medium

Painting - Watercolor

Description

An early arrived image from the '100 Days of Summer' series, 'Michael's Journey' is the first (of nearly eighty images) to depart and enter the world of a viewing public.

It had barely been born as an experience; and barely started to speak when the decision was made to let it share experience with someone other than its designer, so to speak...But right from the start the humble image had announced that it intended to have a voice...; and had intention to express its excitement of being in this world! The image seemed to say: 'This is Amazing! Wow! Look! Look!...Wow!

With that much enthusiasm, that matched its 'jump for joy' posture, how was I, its ostensible guardian, to confine it from a life full of new experiences - new people to converse with...and grow with?

So with the occasion of a birthday I decided to allow her to leave her siblings and embark on a magical journey-of-being, to be part of another growing event...that of a growing human being - a 'little people', so to speak ( I refrain from saying a 'child' because who is to say were the child-of-us starts and ends? People are much, much more than an age.). And that person will take my place as 'guardian' but much more; the person will also become the image's closest friend and confidant...they will share stories, imagine dreams, construct fantasies to take them beyond their reality and fight off the boredom of waiting to grow a little older and wiser than they are today...

The two companions, so young and full of spirit, pride and dreamy wonder, will realize in each other that they themselves are growing and experiencing the most Wondrous and Beautiful event that can be imagined! Life's Journey...Call it 'Michael's Journey' or other...

So that is the story of 'where' the image rests today. What the image has announced to this viewer is still unfolding - due to the magic of a photograph. In my familiarity with it and its siblings I have no doubt that the pixie-like bluish figure at center is most talkative to the personage whose head is still becoming defined...; The environment they inhabit is constructed, yet is also most natural, with gentle, delicate materials as well as materials waiting to build with; energy, movement - ambiguous dynamic presents questions that may announce choices, or paths or tensions to be overcome (?)...I have no desire to solve its Riddle at this time...As I have no desire to preempt the maturing life of the image from unfolding into something less than its Absolute Original being actually can be! It, as its caretaker, are after all is said and done, Unique and not possibly ever to see duplication!

And so young Michael from time to time look at your new friend...and see in him new forms and new stories; be amazed with new questions as you are amazed with new experiences...an be amazed that you have grown not only tall but as all a human being can grow!

For myself and my relationship to the image, when the time is right I will re-visit this wonder of imaginal life; and I have no doubt that something other than I see or say now will arrive in mind...because this is most certainly: a Living Image!
tdp