Denouement

Denouement

"Denouement" mixed media on repurposed wood, 25" x 10" x .75".  Ready to hang .  Available here and at Artfinder.

The climax of a chain of events, when something is decided or made clear - perhaps an ending, and maybe not the one you imagined...something that has you gazing at the moon, studying the heavens and contemplating the mysteries of events - a denouement.

I love the word...denouement...the way it rolls off the tongue, just the right proportion of vowels and consonants,, a lovely smooth french word which, if said emphatically, almost sounds like what I imagine the French for  "damn girl!  really?" would sound like,  which is a totally appropriate response to a surprise ending.

The word was part of my upbringing, but only in the musical sense.  Italicized in classical sheet music, following a crescendo, perhaps, or an adagio. Denouement.   But since the music was practiced again and again until it could be played from memory, there was no real surprise to the ending.

This wistful lady painted herself.  Or at least used my hands to make sure she came into existence.  She chose her dress and the color of her hair.  She told me a super moon was required.  She chose this piece of wood, which is heavy and weathered and speaks of ancient cupboards or wardrobes.  The black circles at the top of the painting are holes in the wood, likely once anchoring knobs or handles or hinges, now black holes of a more cosmic nature.

I am waiting for her to whisper her secrets to me - surely she has the answers I seek?  But in the mean time, I clearly hear her saying "damn girl! really?"  to any and all of us contemplative moon-gazers.