"Half" 36" x 36" oil on canvas by Melanie Banayat
A few years ago when I was driving in my car listening to a talk radio station there was a story about a church that started a project to put an end to complaining. The idea was to order one of those stretchy bracelets from their church, place it on your wrist and every time you complain about something you were suppose to switch the bracelet to your other wrist. This was meant to bring attention to how often we complain about things throughout each day. The ultimate goal was to see if you could go for 21 days straight without complaining about anything – being that it supposedly takes 21 days to break a bad habit.
The talk radio program received a lot of calls. Some people thought it was a great idea, others felt it was pointless, or they pointed out that complaining was a form of release & relief from stress.
Anyway, it got me thinking about how people view their lives – half full or half empty. I began to wonder how I could create an image on a painting that would pose such a question “How do you view your life – half full or half empty?”
It wasn’t long after that when I came across a beautiful piece of artwork – a clay pot with irregular shaped holes throughout. It was visually intriguing, but I do remember thinking to myself, “this pot is not a very practical vessel now is it?” The vision of that vessel stayed in my mind for a long time for some reason. After a while it dawned on me that this was the answer for my painting. The body is a vessel! Is the glass half full or half empty?!?! That’s it. This is how I will expose what’s inside the vessel.
At my art exhibitions some people look at ‘Half’ and are immediately put off by it. They make comments such as, “Eeeew, that’s creepy!” Or “Oh! I can’t look at that!” It gives them the heebee jeebeez, and they don’t want to know anything about it. While others are drawn to the painting; they seek to learn more about it. I often wonder what’s going on in the minds of the people who are put off by it, but they scurry off so quickly that I never have the chance to ask them.
I enjoy telling people about the meaning behind this painting, because it brings forth a lot of ‘Ahhhhs’. The painting is a good reminder to me to put things into perspective when life becomes overwhelming at times.
“Is the glass half full, or half empty? It depends on whether you're pouring, or drinking.”
- Bill Cosby
Researchers have discovered that pessimistic people are socially rejected because individuals feel that pessimists are hopeless, sad, and depressed - Hewleg-Larson et al., 2002
"Feeling is the language of the soul" — Neale Donald Walsc
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Please share this post with others - Thanks! Melanie Banayat
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10 comments:
Seriously? You get people who 'cant look at that'?
Some people I will never understand. :)
A lovely piece of art, which I think poses the intended question beautifully.
I loved your painting Half, it reminds us there is more below the surface than what we can just see. Your greetings cards with the messages really add to your paintings too.
Nice to have met you at the Sedona Arts Festival
Martha
Melanie,
I find that some pieces I make appeal to no one but myself and frankly that's ok. We are artists who see and experience life somewhat differently so it makes sense that, occasionally, we're a little "obtuse". I like "Half", very mosaic like and all. Like how our lives are assembled.
Tombo -
Since I'm very much a 'people watcher (and listener)' I rather enjoy the many different reactions to my art. It's an interesting study of human emotions.
Martha,
I'm glad to hear that you are one of the people who likes half. LOL!
Thanks for the compliment on my greeting cards. For some reason my cards were a huge hit this past weekend. I even had someone come up to me in tears after reading each of my cards and she said, "thank you, reading your cards is like therapy for the soul." That was pretty cool.
Tony,
I have a number of pieces like that. I think I will be the only one who truly enjoys them, and you're right, that's very ok.
as far as a vessel i feel that i am always trying to add to it but there are those trying to drain me. it is a constant battle to not see it as half... empty. Love this piece, i also enjoy watching the reactions of people as they look at my work.
Joseph,
The one's I have most trouble with are those that I have termed, "the Crazy Makers". Of course I don't go around calling them "Crazy Makers" it's an identification I make internally - and sometimes I feel I must make the conscious decision to have as little contact with those individuals as possible in order to maintain some semblance of sanity. I bet you can probably think of someone in your life that fits that term. I think we all can. LOL!
oh yes, i can definetly think of a few that fit into that description. evading them can sometimes be a challenge.
Half full, or half empty - somebody needs to get that girl something to eat!!
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