- Published on
Rabbit, Aggrieved
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"Rabbit, Aggrieved" - oil on yupo, 12.5 x 19 inches. This item is unmounted and unframed. (click on the image to purchase)
"Hallo, Rabbit,” he said, “is that you?” "Let’s pretend it isn’t,” said Rabbit, “and see what happens. - A. A. MILNE
Did I mention the rabbits have taken over the studio? That rabbits multiply, on land and by paint? The studio rabbits have determined it is their role to express societal emotions this year. Aggrieved - feeling resentment at having been unfairly treated - hello, YES!
I'm not very good at feeling anger and its cousins (resentment, bitterness, irritation, frustration) because people have not really felt anger around me during my life - they've done anger. And anger as an action is pretty shitty.
So I've been given permission (homework, even!) to go ahead and feel aggrieved. You mention one word of that to rabbits, and they've already made a banner and started a parade!
It turns out there are benefits to feeling and expressing anger . Anger is protective and reveals our boundaries. Anger heals trauma. And anger inspires action.
Anger unexpressed creates shame. And shame resides in all kinds of places in the body. Are your shoulders tight? Got headaches? Belly woes? Anger wants you to stop leaving yourself. Oh, oh and OH!
So what does healthy anger look like? It is kind and firm. Think of it as assertive communication. Something you pay attention to with kindness and curiosity before taking action.
Unlike these rabbits, who just left the studio in a rampage and may end up on the evening news. Sheesh!
It turns out there are benefits to feeling and expressing anger . Anger is protective and reveals our boundaries. Anger heals trauma. And anger inspires action.
Anger unexpressed creates shame. And shame resides in all kinds of places in the body. Are your shoulders tight? Got headaches? Belly woes? Anger wants you to stop leaving yourself. Oh, oh and OH!
So what does healthy anger look like? It is kind and firm. Think of it as assertive communication. Something you pay attention to with kindness and curiosity before taking action.
Unlike these rabbits, who just left the studio in a rampage and may end up on the evening news. Sheesh!
About the art: this rabbit (the second in a series of lagomorphs) was inspired by the works of Möbius and Diebenkorn. Beginning with a rough sketch in thinned oil paint and slowly adding layers of color. The trick with this one was getting the dark side very, VERY dark so the rabbit would hop out (ha ha) in a dramatic way. Allowing the paint to slide down the Yupo toward the bottom is a nice softening of the hard edges higher up in the piece. This guy is seriously thinking about how he feels before he does anything about it. Good advice, rabbit!
The January Reader Giveaway continues! Leave a comment on any blog post this month to be automatically entered. Someone is going to win an original piece of art - free!
BRAVA LOLA!
First though, anyone know where they get those pellets?