303. Writing a Book or Painting a Picture

Venetian Market Acrylic on canvas 45x35.
by Eva Ulian 1976

Looking at how the aptitude towards writing books and painting pictures, we cannot help but notice how similar their development has been: it is as if these two forms have gone, go hand in hand, together, through time.

There are real-leather and gold lettering cover books which is supposed to be an indication of the value of their contents.  Certainly we are more likely to find a set of poems by Donne or a play by Shakespeare presented as such.

There are flimsy paperback books which give the impression they are destined for the re-cycle bin once read.  In other words there are “precious” books and “popular” books, for want of another word.

The same is true for paintings.  There are oil paintings set in solid gold frames and acrylic paintings, often set in no frame at all.  It is also true that paintings were given importance if the subject was important; a Lady or Lord, a battle, or biblical scene.  You did not paint old boots or potato eaters and expect people to classify your work as “precious”.

The same goes for books, though writers had a much tougher time of it all and were not half as venerated as painters were.  But in modern times we are lucky, we no longer have this idea of elitism: Van Gogh’s old boots or potato eaters are worth beyond anyone’s expectations-  nor does one have to write on an epic subject to be worth something in the eyes of the readers.

What’s more, we find the classics printed in flimsy paperbacks which is another barrier broken down.  In our age of Internet communication everything has become accessible and public.

In this age too, kings, queens and emperors are a myth for they no longer rule- not really.  Politicians too are not boulders of strength for their power is temporary and can easily wane.

So who holds the knife by the handle nowadays?  The rich? Hardly!  People, just could not care less and no longer pay any reverence to those who have money.  Italy’s own magnate, Berlusconi, is literally the most hated man in Italy, basically because he is “filthy” rich.

Hence, what’s the deal in today’s society- who is it in the end that really counts? 

You do.

Nowadays “people” have the power.  The hierarchy of importance still exists but it has a totally different criteria.

You are important if people like you, love you, and appreciate you because of what you do- which basically boils down to- what you give.

Link to the Eva Ulian Painting blog