So I had this abstract oil painting I did last summer that I didn’t really like (one of those times when the idea is cool in my head, and not so cool on canvas. Happens about every time I paint). I had the brilliant idea at two o’clock this morning while I was trying to sleep (that’s when all my brilliant ideas occur. If I wasn’t too lazy to turn on my lamp, get up, and write down my brilliant ideas, I’d be a millionaire by now) to freehand paint in acrylic one of my favorite quotes by J.R.R. Tolkien, “Not all those who wander are lost.” It would be perfect next to any one of my three world maps I have for decorating my dorm room (What? I like maps!).
This was the end result:
Cool, right? One of the rare times a project actually turned out the way I wanted it to. Well, almost. I’m not complaining, anyway.
So I finish this and leave it on the kitchen table to dry. Then my mom walks in and says, “Did you do that to your painting?”
No, Mom. Little elves dug my painting out of my closet and etched a quote on it because they were just huge Tolkien fans or something. Honestly. The thing is, she doesn’t even consider abstract/modern art to be art. She says it takes no talent. My landscapes are proudly displayed on her walls, but my abstract stuff sure never it made to the places of honor! You’d think she’d see the addition of a literary quote as an improvement.
Then my dad chimes in, “That quote is theologically incorrect. The wanderers are lost. Haven’t you heard the song Come Thou Fount?”
First of all, the song does not say wanderers are lost. On the contrary, the song is talking about a Christian who occasionally wanders away, and is begging God to bring him back and seal his heart. Secondly, the quote is talking about traveling. It is not a spiritual metaphor. Thirdly, Tolkien was a Christian himself, so you probably shouldn’t be assuming that his quote is implying some sort of warped view of God. Fourthly, get your theology from the Bible, Dad, not from songs.
After I finish my very badly articulated protest, my mom comes to my defense with, “It’s a nerd thing, honey.”
Thanks, Mom. Apparently a meaningful, deep quote written onto an abstract work of art I spent weeks on is merely a “nerd thing.”
She also bought me ramen noodles yesterday. She is sealing my fate as a starving, misunderstood artist.
Except I don’t plan on becoming an artist. Because you can see just how supportive my family would be about that decision.
Confessions of a Hopeless Introvert 