- In this Interdisciplinary Stillife Painting,
"Don't Stay Away," an original oil on canvas, I wanted
to represent the idealized folk world of the rural farm nestled
in the hill country but isolated, longing for visitation, with
the potential for celebrating, with instruments, tempered with
a little religion. First came the words and music of a folk song,
then this painting.
-
- I had to rely on a scribe to write down the
piece music shown in this artwork, so I learned to write music
in order to write down the entire song as well as other melodies
and music arrangements to include them in future artworks.
-
- In a second version of this painting, No. 88, I included this complete
song and written music as subject matter.
Don't Stay Away
I want to know what have you been up to,
It's been at least a year or two
Since I last seen you,
- What have you been up to.
-
- Well I heard you've been writin a
new chapter
In your personal book of days.
Talkin' bout livin' a whole new way.
Well I hardly know what to say
- .
- I been paintin' pictures,
And learnin' to sing the blues.
Pretty well been trying
To keep from payin the devil a due.
-
- Well thanks for hearin' my sad song,
You know it's hard to speak your mind without soundin' wrong.
So let me say what it is that I feel so strong.
Next time don't stay away so long.
-
- Paul McMillan
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