On The Border
I know about painting of a certain type, but I don’t know much about art. I just know what I like.
I like this painting. It’s by an artist named Jack Vettriano.
I first became aware of him about a few years ago when I saw a painting of his called “Elegy For A Dead Admiral“. i was completely taken over by the colors and the mood. I bought a copy of the print but I decided to tuck away and wait until the day comes that I am in a house that is all my own. I’m going to hang it in the dining room.
Later, I got one of those coffee table books of his works and loved just about everything I saw. He is apparently a Scottish painter (despite his name) but all his paintings have this sort of richness that makes me think of photos and old movies that feature Italy in the 1950′s and 60′s: sensual, soulful, maybe sometimes even a little perverted.
Maybe that’s why I like his stuff. I’m a little soulful and perverted.
Anyway, something always drew me to the painting above, my second favorite of his. I speaks to me and I’m not sure why. Who are those guys and what are they doing? The painting is titled “On the Border.” What are they on the border of?
I sometimes think maybe it’s me and the Attorney. Two guys who are definitely connected in some way. One a little older, but not a father. One a little taller, but not a brother. Both kind of lanky and goose-necked. If they had sattelite dish ears, I’d be sure it was us.
I knew the painting before I knew the Attorney. But maybe the painting was put there to help guide me when the time came.
We’re on the border, ourselves. Or on the verge.
On the verge of the next level.
Like the guys in the painting, the sunset illuminates us on the horizon.
Ready to walk into it.
Together.
I bought a print of this one recently. I’m going to give it to the Attorney.
Tomorrow.
It’s his birthday.
May 28th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
It sounds like all is well with the attorney. What a great birthday gift.
May 29th, 2008 at 12:25 am
Actually, Tony, there is a very large Italian population in Scotland. I never have been able to find out why they chose to emigrate there though. Dario Franchitti the race car driver is from Scotland. Beautiful print, the attorney is a very lucky man.
May 29th, 2008 at 1:58 am
Beautiful and speaking gift, Tony. It is sure to be treasured by him for some time to come. Happy Birthday to the Attorney.
May 29th, 2008 at 3:53 am
You continually surprise me. Wonderful!
May 29th, 2008 at 6:09 am
Damn you Tony… you just made me tear up… those last four lines… damn, damn, double damn…
And I’ve never seen Jack’s work before, but I fell in love at first sight with it too…
May 29th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Senior year is pretty cool, Tony. Really happy for you (and the Attorney.)
May 29th, 2008 at 11:38 am
How can the attorney not have a Happy Bithday with both you AND this beautiful print? The landscape in the picture has a water element that speaks to my Cancer nature! And the hot men don’t hurt either.
May 29th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
You are more than a little soulful, Tony. I have also always felt that certain art speaks to me in ways that I can’t really explain. Of course I am also a little perverted, but that’s another subject.
This painting will be a beautiful guide for you and the Attorney, as you move, hand-in-hand, to the next level. My sweet blessings to both of you!
And Happy Birthday to the Attorney, who I’m sure will be getting some other special gifts from his Large Tony this year!!!
May 29th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
omg, how romantic, how sweet!
May 30th, 2008 at 11:35 am
great thinking, great choice =)
May 30th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Of course you leave us all guessing what “on the verge of” means. Regardless, I’ve been with my other half as of October 2 for 23 years!! It’s fucking tough and trying, but something I would never, ever trade for no matter what. I would die for him. Sorry, that’s a bit intense. I just hope you and the attorney are together for a very, very long time (get past the 2nd “very” and your lovingly stuck) and live in that home you allude to and are happier than shit–even when you piss one another off for the most stupidest of things. Get over that gas shit!!!!!!!!!!!
May 31st, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Belated CONGRATS on the 500th Post (we love you for entertaining us for four plus years) and Happy Birthday to LT’s Attorney boyfriend – I’m sure he will thoroughly enjoy your GIFT (and the beautiful art print too)…
May 31st, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Hope you both had a great birthday. I trust the Attorney knows how lucky he is to have you on the journey with him. I have traveled a lot, been on lots of borders, and each one causes excitement and anticipation of the unknown. But I have never regretted crossing, even when it doesn’t always turn out the way I thought it was going too. But, I have learned sometimes life doesn’t look and feel exactly the way we thought it would. Most times it is much more wonderful than we can ever have imagined.
I’m on the verge of my sixtieth birthday, and have fallen in love for the first time with a man, a younger man. (The only other time I have been in love was with my wife, who is now my dear friend and co-parent and grandparent; although I love and have loved in many ways). I too am on the verge of the ‘next level’ and am ready to cross into the new territory with eyes wide open and hand in hand.
Go with steady step and enjoy all the riches available.