Thursday, September 20, 2007

Naming an art piece

Watching Her Leave
Graphite 9 x 12 on Bristol Smooth
Copyright Jeanette Jobson

I've completed this self portrait from all those years ago and learned to hate plaid pants. Especially plaid pants in an ill defined photograph. I tweaked the drawing when I got home today, sprayed and framed it. It will likely be a piece for an upcoming exhibition, but I still have to spend more time reviewing my portfolio and see what other pieces are suitable.

Naming a piece is something that can come easily with some pieces and totally impossible with others. Its like getting a puppy and within hours or days its name surfaces without searching, usually based on some behaviour. But art doesn't have behaviour. It does evoke emotion and memory which is what usually inspires the name for the piece. Or if there is a specific activity occurring within the piece it can inspire a name.

In this piece I'm stuck for a name., so I'm hoping for some suggestions from blog readers. The setting is Christmas 1955 likely a new doll - some sort of elf by the looks of it. I really am at a loss for a title for this and need to come up with something so it can go into an exhibition. So let's call this a brainstorming exercise and I'll throw in a print of either Weeds I or Moored for the name that is chosen!

9 comments:

Billie Crain said...

how about 'Christmas Past'? sometimes the best title is the most obvious one.

Stacy said...

Jeanette, this turned out beautiful! I am sure it will be very successful if you decide to put it in the exhibition. Unfortunately I'm still working on my naming skills. But I look at this drawing and see contentment, so how about that as a name? Or something to do with memories...Walk down Memory Lane, Spending Time with Memories...something like that.

Anonymous said...

How about New Dolly?

Or Ancient Times?

(oww, I felt that slap upside the head)

Sorcha

Billie Crain said...

this just popped into my head when i checked your blog today...'Remember When'.

Jeanette Jobson said...

Its so hard deciding on a name. Yes Billie, the obvious often is the best fit, isn't it? Remember when could be a good one too.

Thanks Stacy. Contentment, memories....yes, they have possibilities,

Ancient Times....my daughter does have a sense of humour methinks. :)

I've decided to leave this open til Sunday and see what suggestions I get by then and make a decision.

Cyril Kesten said...

My two cents:

watching her leave

And those are Canadian cents!!!

Jeanette Jobson said...

Oooh, I like that one Cyril! You'll have to wait til Sunday to see if a print will wing its way to you.

Laurel Neustadter said...

This drawing is beautiful! The cross-hatching is wonderful, as are the plaid pants. Love those little girl shoes. This drawing makes me think about innocence. How about "Fifties Baby", "50's Girl", or "Happy Days"?

Jeanette Jobson said...

Great suggestions Laurel! Thank you.

I love those little shoes too, aren't they sweet?