If you’ve seen my gallery, you know my work and commentary deals with the ‘human condition.’ There is one emotion I’ve found virtually impossible to portray: How do you show that ugly green eyed monster- ‘jealousy’ without getting cartoon-like?I posed this challenge to an amazing artist; Michael D. Edens of MDE.ART and he came up with a solution (seemingly overnight) that absolutely blew me away. See for yourself:
So naturally I had to do my own version in my style. (At the top) I told Michael I was going to ‘out do’ him. I don’t think that happened, but don’t tell Michael. I’ll just get jealous.This is the definition of jealousy:
Fearful or wary of being supplanted; apprehensive of losing affection or position. Resentful or bitter in rivalry; envious: jealous of the success of others.Inclined to suspect rivalry. Vigilant in guarding something. Intolerant of disloyalty or infidelity; autocratic: a jealous God.
SYNONYMS: covetous, envious. These adjectives mean resentfully or painfully desirous of another's advantages: jealous of a friend's success; covetous of my neighbor's possessions; envious of their art collection.
I know! Pretty scary, huh? Oddly it’s something we’re all subject to/of at one time or another in our lives. (Although- I do like the last one: “envious of their art collection.”) And, I bet you know where I’m going with this. Just off the top of my head, this is one person that makes me jealous, bitter, intolerant, covetous, envious, and resentful. Did I say bitter? Well it’s better to put it in twice just to assure it’s covered:
Donald Trump- Success story my foot! You were born into your fortune- you S.O.B. It’s this simple: It should have been me! And I’d like to say something to ‘The Donald’:
How many new garish gold-leafed laden casinos, billion dollar luxury estates and exclusive buildings for the rich and famous does this world need, Donald? With all your construction savvy and means -have you ever thought about doing something actually worthwhile with it? ‘What’ you ask? Well I’ll tell you what! What about fixing the levies in New Orleans and making them safe? What about fixing the bridges in the Midwest and making them safe? What about designing energy wise houses that Middle Class Joe can afford? Just to start with, what about that Donald?
Wow! That felt great. You have to try it. What makes the green eyed monster show itself in you or at you? (And don’t say you don’t get jealous. We all do.) And even more fun, -give us the details.
Vikki
My painting is ‘Ala Prima’ (4 to 5 hours- I’m not lying this time, Lou.) and called “The Green Eyed Monster”. It’s 9 ½”x 12” acrylic on canvas panel. I choose a child as my subject because children so openly show their emotions.
25 comments:
Vikki - I have very green eyes a bit like the boy in your painting so maybe jealously comes naturally he he. I do not really get jealous per say these days but I sure did when younger. I can remember being jealous of others' looks, boyfriends, money, careers, everything really. But I think that has more to do with self esteem and self confidence sometimes. The older you get the more accepting of self you become.
As for Donald, I would not want to be that man or his partner for all the money he supposedly has. You cannot buy class. And having lived with a narcissistic businessman for some time I know what is important in life - integrity and a moral compass not money. As for the toupee or the hair or whatever carpet he has on his head, pleeze.....
These days I 'yearn' a little for something others may be or have (as close to jealousy as I could call it) but I tend to be more mature about it all. Everyone has their own journey to run I guess and we all have something special going on at some time. But, I have to say that I just read Jules latest post about the romantic things her husband has done for her and I could do with a bit of that - well I have to find the man first...it's a gorgeous post! But then reading her story she so deserves it so how can you be jealous of a lovely person?
I like your portrait of the child because I think jealousy is a childish emotion which is natural and not at all demonic. OK, I just read that you did that work in 4 hours - there are some certain painters I could be so jealous of too.......great post by the way..just thought of another idea -when you do these things you could start a meme where we all have to come up with our interpretation of the one subject on the same day. Make us present it in a creative way, even us non artists - could be entirely fun as well. I think I would depict jealousy as eating away of the soul because it is a self defeating and useless emotion unless it spurs you on to being better or more competitive that is. Told you your posts always give me ideas and I have to focus on the one already discussed.
Hi Lilly,
I agree on all counts you mention. Jealousy is an emotion we equate to juveniles, and that’s actually another reason, I choose a child. But, I do have to say that there are many adults who thrive in jealousy and even go out of their way to damage the subject of their jealousy. Of course, people who do have never developed adult tools to deal with their emotions and usually show instability in other areas of their lives also.
As to the Trumpster, I had to pick someone and he’s fair. Although I think I made some good suggestions (like he would ever read my blog!) If I were Donald Trump I would try to change the world, not just gold leaf it.
And speaking of Donald and jealousy: He put together a show for Martha Stewart (based on his own) and got so threatened that he blew her off the air in just a few short weeks. He said her ratings were bad. Do we believe that? Martha was the hottest thing going shortly after her jail sentence. But Martha’s a Nuevo rich. Unlike Donald, she actually worked for what she has.
Vikki
Hi Vikki. I really like your painting. It's deep, and powerful, and the intense subtlety puts me at a loss for words... I think I'm a little jealous! ;) ...you were able to push the idea in ways I didn't know how, like via the subject and your color palette. At first I was just floored, but then I could relate to the expression (and spookily, the red hair).
So many emotions, but I keep coming back to vulnerability, and a fear of being supplanted. Like I want to know there is value in what I have or what I am. I see value in others! ;) And art blogs.
Thanks again for initiating this conversation, and sharing my work on your Blog. It's exciting, humbling, and I'm proud... maybe the opposite of jealous! I'll keep it in mind for a future challenge some day. ;)
~Michael
Vikki
Gold leafing everything - wow I kind of like that analogy. Its sad when someone like Donald must detest himself so badly that he finds someone like Martha threatening. I just get to the point I pity people like that except for the fact they are entirely dangerous. I wonder is it jealousy or is it just plain greed and control? Oh and being the total narcissist he is, he probably has someone to Google his name and see what is being said - your blog may come to his attention sooner or later - and then he will ask how to paint his portrait. Now that would be fun - and would take some gold leafing...
Maybe on second thoughts jealousy starts in an innocent and natural way as in your portrait and if we do not emotionally evolve we end up ravaged in the way Michael portrays it... very interesting.
Hi Michael,
That’s really a nice complement from such an outstanding artist as you. I love your style and the energy you create in your work. You are so unique.
Kids are so obvious in their emotions. Their jealousy always goes hand and hand with their anger. Doing a child as my subject, predominately in this flaming red, was a little scary-almost sac-religious. I really didn’t know if it would work, but I think it did. I’m comfortable with it, especially for a quick little painting.
I also really enjoy blogging. (I’m an online newbie) I’ve met so many extraordinary artists and people.
Please stay in touch, Michael.
Vikki
Hi Lilly,
I take it you haven’t you seen Donald’s Golden Palace penthouse in New York? You have to check it out. It is a must see! (I SAY no more.)
Wow, wouldn’t that be great if he read this and got all peeved. We’d get our 15 minutes of fame on International news, Lilly!
“Live and on NBC: Lilly and Vikki take on The Donald.”
By the way, that’s very profound: “jealousy starts in an innocent and natural way and then evolves.”
Vikki
Jealousy incarnate. Very interesting.
Vikki,
VERY interesting post.
First! Let me congratulate you and Michael for wonderful renderings of what jealousy looks like.
We all know to well what if feels like, eh?
I would like to think I have a healthy dose of jealousy. Most times it's when I see something in somebody else I wish I had more of!
You know like philanthropy, those who truly give of themselves. I think there is nothing more rewarding than helping another human being by giving your time. There are so many occasions where giving money is a must as well. Sadly so many don't realize the reward is much greater than the sacrifice.
I'm jealous of those people.
LILLY! I started to cry when I read your response! Thank you sweetie. You are an angel! (from one green eyed gal to another)
What a great piece! I am jealous. I like yours better than his because yours is so blatant whereas his is so nuanced. The expression, to me, in his is too flat, to cold, too unemotional, really. Yours is just SO THERE.
And to have done that Ala Prima! You are amazing.
OH jealousy, I know that one. When I was a younger person I was very, very jealous of people who had loving parents and families. As I got older it turned into being jealous of people who had good relationships with partners or mates. As I got even older (and encountered my own mortality) I learned about being grateful, and how we don't forgive others, forgivness is a gift we give to ourselves. It cured my jealousy, snap, just like that. I leanrned that if I coveted, or envied something it was a good thing, (just like fear and anger are/can be a good thing) it was a place I needed to look at and if I felt nessecarry to fix it. If I wanted true companionship and love, then I had to be loveable and honorable as a person myself. If I wanted what someone else had, then I said to myself, that's great that you have that "thing", now if I want that thing too, what will I need to do in order to get it? I turned into a game. Most of the time I found that whatever it was that made me feel greedy, I didn't want to "do what needed to be done to have that thing". So, I outgrew jealousy (which the root of is greed) just as I outgrew bobby socks and puppy love. Now there are times that I covet, I do so openly, I covet your talent and style, no shame there. But the differance today is that I see that talent and style and I say, what can I lean? I also remember that compairing myself to another is the fastest way to feel like shit, or become jealouse, which is useless and pointless. So I think, Double Damn that's super fantastic! What can I learn from this? In this painting I learned a lot about the use of the color red, the way you used light and dark to convey an emotion with limited detail but still very complex. I don't really covet your talent, I roll around in it, I embrace it, I use it to inspire a greater part of my inner self to work harder, strive for satisfation in my own work and share that with the world. You always have the best posts. The Trumpster is just an empty greed machine. In my most humble opinion. :)
Hi Austin,
I’m so glad you visited! It would be interesting to see what you would go with this assignment. It may not seem the case, but it’s a tough one.
Vikki
Hi Jules,
Oh- I so agree with you. That’s actually the point I was making about the extreme wealthy like Trump. Can you imagine the difference he could make in so many lives and the condition of their lives, not to forget the immeasurable legacy of humanity he could leave for himself and his family? Instead he builds casino in Florida and luxury estates in California. I just don’t understand.
Vikki
Hi Lou,
Well I appreciate, but I really like Michael’s also. (And I like his style alot.)
He actually took on the more difficult task. Children wear what they feel on their sleeves. Adults are so good at hiding/disguising their feelings.
Do you know how we feel that sense of shock/disconcertion when we realize an adult is jealous- or reacting in a jealous manner? That’s what I think Michael went after and captured.
Ala Prima. You got me started back into that- you know?
Vikki
Hi Heather,
Thank you so much. You’re so right. As we grow up we realize our jealousies can be turned around to improve our own lives and motivate us. It’s part of the process of maturity.
During my working years, I found a sure cure for jealousy of any sort, (whether it be my feelings or directed at me): I’d invite the person to lunch and get to know them. I found that jealousy could magically be turned into admiration and appreciation over a good meal between two people.
Vikki
WOW!! Vikki! don't freak out, but I have to say that as your blog was downloading and the painting of the boy was appearing on my monitor I got scared!.... You sure portrayed more than jealousy on it... certainly a very strong well executed painting!
I agree we all feel/felt jealousy especially when kids, teenagers more appropriately. As teenagers we tend to envy what others have or think they have, instead of looking at how blessed we are with what we have (or don't have in many cases!).
My oldest son, when he was a boy used to be envy one of his friends, our next door neighbors, because his father had plenty of time to "play" baseball and his dad was working and didn't have much time to play as he wanted it. The "baseball sessions" they used to have were forced training the kid didn't want. It was the way for the father to become wealthy through the kid and of course not in a nice way. When my son found out what was behind the "apparent" play time he realized he had a great that who yes was working most of the day and would play only on weekends but who didn't mistreated him but loved him very, very much. So sometimes we feel envy of something that looks nice but sometimes is not like that.
I can't say I was sick jealous growing up, never was, never meant harm to anyone or wished bad to anyone, but of course I wanted things that others had, I was envy I didn't had those shoes or clothe, but not to the point of getting angry, but sad 'cause in my family we couldn't afford it for whatever reason or my parents though that was completely unnecessary (they never believed in brands or what was pop or not). But the older you get those feelings start going away in most of us and replaced for good feelings, although in many remain or those who didn't have them as kids have them as adults as they become wealthy. My mom used to say sometimes with money comes the devil and you have to be pretty smart to keep the money and send the devil away ;o).
There are many new rich with no absolute education, and they sure show their true colors just because they can as they think money is everything. They think they can humiliate just because, or cause harm just because. They kept the money and the devil and they had not figured it out yet, becoming ugly people despite the appearances.
Donal Trump as well as many others known or not so known, show they have money and a huge lack of education and class, and that's something you can't buy. There are very wealthy people who use what they have earned in life to benefit others, is called humanity, and that's something money can't buy either. There are those who love to humiliate, hurt, and harm at any stage and get unfortunately worse when they become wealthy.
Human nature I guess??...
There is a virulence to the emotion expressed by the child, whereas the other painting is colder, more calculating, expressing, perhaps, the difference between child and adult.
Hi Manuela,
I like the story about your son and his Dad. That’s very endearing and what a great life lesson.
As I thought about the subject of jealousy, before I’d looked up the definition, the one thing that came to mind is that it’s based in anger or evil behavior. (Thoughts of Damien in the Omen) So, of course, heavy in red was a given.
I had actually finished the painting in a couple hours and kept looking at him. I went back and brought in darker areas under his brow and around his eyes. That was all he needed to make him ‘scary’.
I wanted him to be frightening- because jealousy is frightening. It’s irrational and hurtful behavior, as you said. It really scares us all, especially when were the subject of someone’s jealousy.
We have a lot of instinctive human responses, but the thing that defines human beings from animals is that we develop cognitive abilities, as we get older, to understand right from wrong behavior. (At least we’re suppose to, right?)
Vikki
Hi Lou,
I like that- ‘virulence to the emotion.’ That’s it. At least with kids we know what’s coming at us, huh?
I have to say- I think I frightened a lot of my bloggers with this painting. (It was honestly just meant to be a fun little challenge of ‘how do show this emotion.’) To funny!
But I’ve gotten more interesting responses with this painting -than any I’ve shown. (Maybe we should analyze that- huh?) I think I painted a little demon. Yipes!!
Vikki
Interesting post and gorgeous art work from both of you! When I think of jealousy, I also think of deceit and insecurity because they are at the heart of jealousy. The picture of Scarlett O'Hara in the red dress with one eyebrow raised and a sideways glance as she walks into a room full of morally biggoted old biddies personifies jealousy to me.
Although Scarlett isn't jealous, her actions could have caused jealousy and judgement, the deceit that was implied and her expression mirrors all of this for me.
Jealousy means there is a threat to your status or well-being. I think that when you learn to love yourself unequivocally and realize your precious value in the Universe, it's pretty hard to get THIS so obviously jealous.
BTHs,
Dina
Hi Dina,
Absolutely agree with you on all except one point: Scarlet was insanely jealous of Melanie. She wanted everything Melanie had, especially the Ashley, her beau.
Scarlet’s jealousy became her undoing in life and the loss of the one man that really loved her, Rhett Butler. When Scarlet finally admits to her jealous ways, Rhett’s response… “Quite frankly my dear, I could give a damn.”
To funny!! Still crack me up! I love that. Thanks, Missy Dina.
Vikki
Hi Vikki! Wow! interesting dialogue on jealousy!, and a most powerful painting of the subject...I love your suggestions for "The Donald" Just his excess pocket change could go a long way helping those in need....I never really thought about being jealous of him...just a little sorry for him.
I linked to your site from Austins and will be back! Love reading your posts! Your work is great! I will link you as well.
Cheers, Robin
Hi Robin,
Thanks for coming to my site and your comments.
I’m not really jealous of The Donald. We just had to have someone to make sport of(The Donald is easy pickins’) And who knows? His publicist or agent may think the public’s knowledge of his philanthropic actions would tarnish his self-righteous Hollywood persona. Donald may be doing all kinds of altruistic things we never hear about.
And by the way-don’t you love Austin? He’s so talented and sweet natured.
I’ll go check out your site and link you also.
Vikki
Because I often think that people know what I'm thinking (doesn't everyone hear everyone else's thoughts like I often do?), I assumed we'd already had the discussion before I wrote about the one time Scarlett was innocent of coveting and seducing the milquetoast Ashley, is the time she gets caught and misjudged.
So her expression personifies jealousy to me even though she's innocent of it this time.
Hi Dina,
No- we don’t all hear other people’s thoughts and thank God for that! I wouldn’t want a couple of my neighbors to know what I really think about them. (I’m just kidding of course.)
I understood why you brought up Scarlet and the scene. I just really enjoyed writing about what a jealous looser Scarlet was. She got what she deserved. I would have taken Rhett Butler any day over old skin and bones Ashley.
“Why..Why Scarlet?”
Vikki
Interesting. A couple of disclaimers on the front end. First, I am the least creative and artistic individual in the universe. Although I have been fortunate enough to visit some of the great museums of the world, I by no means consider myself an authority on artistic issues. I simply like what I like. Second, I do not know where I am about to go with this comment and will simply wander.
I've never liked jealousy. In my youth, I considered it to be an unnecessary emotion, i.e., one, if about which we thought through, we'd learn to avoid, or at least minimize its occurrence. At this point in time, I'm not as comfortable with that interpretation. I'm now considering the possibility that it can be a tad more neutral, and not as subjectively laden.
Envy does not strike me as quite as troubling or as unnecessry as jealousy. Additionally, the malevolent component does not seem to loom as large. I say this because all of us view ourselves relative to others. We all view some folks as different than we are in some manner, either good or bad, some above, some below, some more fortunate, some less, some simply differently. It's partly what motivates us to change our condition or status. Sometimes it inspires some to achieve great feats, although we might not fully appreciate the underlying motivation.
(Gossip, on the other hand, is a totally wasteful and unnecessary
act, in my opinion. It seems to be inherently malicious in nature, especially if there is a lack of first hand knowledge. I can not imagine any positive, redeeming aspects to gossip.)
Getting back to art and jealousy, when confronted with the concept of depicting jealousy, I had to pause. Obviously if we saw someone express jealousy, we could take a snapshot or paint a picture; however, the expression would be out of context without understanding the circumstances or events leading up to the expression. Artists obviously have to depict many different emotions; however, I would suspect that some point of reference has to be established to assist in interpreting the expression of emotion. I'm still here trying to work through this one and I will not occupy any more of your space.
I'll conclude with this. Norman Rockwell knew how to convey emotion simply. However, I suspect that there were some other hints in the picture. Consider this, a boy with a beautiful dog, standing proud, with an amazing color and coat, standing beside another boy with a dog less so. Imagine the look on the second boy's face. Is it always necessary to have a context to portray jealousy in an artistic fashion? I'm still thinking.
Hi Reginald,
Really nice comment. I loved your analogies and analysis.
And ‘gossip’. That’s interesting. It’s (yet again) one of those emotions that would be extremely difficult to portray without executing a full-blown scene of interacting characters. You’ve presented us with another challenge, Reginald! I’ll be obsessed trying to figure out how to show ‘gossip’. I think I’ll discuss this with Michael also.
(In fact I'll bet you I can show it WITHOUT malice. Just wait.)
I love Norman Rockwell. I have numerous books on him. He is one of many that taught me to be an illustrator, a painter and enjoy my work.
Vikki
Jealousy. We only hope that we find it in children but alass adult fail prey to it too. I feel you have capture the emotion ten fold. This chid is also a bit scarey! What eyes! The colors! Bravo, Vikki!. Joanne
Hi Anonymously Joanne,
He is scary looking- but afterall 'jealousy' is pretty scary, especially in adults.
Vikki
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