While
picking Ellie up from Zoo School one fall afternoon I was particularly
moved. A sequence
of observations followed…
· The symbolism in the scene, -covered and
surround by the very nature they are studying and captivated by.
· The significance of moments like this in the lives of these kids as they
grow into adults.
· The devotion and heart the teachers put into
these kids that extends far beyond their “jobs.”
· The sheer beauty of the setting.
The lyrics
of the song “County Road,” often sung at this spot with Mr. K playing the guitar, came to mind. “Country roads take me home, to the place I
belong.”
“...to the
place I belong” just seemed to describe all of these thoughts.
I snapped a couple
of pictures.
It didn’t
take long to think of painting the scene.
But I wanted to paint it a way that was more timeless and less
specific. –Like it could be any class,
any year and represent the thoughts above.
I attempted to represent years and lives and memories in this frozen
moment. “Life is old here, older than the trees” and “all my memories gather
‘round” are a couple more lines from Country Road that seem appropriate as
well.
I fully
acknowledge that this art is a poor reproduction of the real thing, -of being
there that day. But I hope as years pass
and people grow up it helps bring them back to this place, “…to the place I
belong.”
Kirk