We talked about how to prevent these tragedies, but no one had any answers. All I could think about was why didn't this school teaching mom detect her son's anger? I was so tuned in to my sons' states of mind, I find it hard to believe she didn't see his pain. But then, I was a stay-at-home mom. I had my eyes on my kids 24/7. Today things are different.
As for guns in the house, we only owned one in our lives, Ellis's army rifle, an M16 I think? We got rid of it when I heard noises in the house one night home alone, got the rifle, went downstairs to protect my sleeping children and saw Ellis coming in from his night out with the boys, instead of the intruder I expected. Had the gun been loaded, that would have been a tragedy. Back to the army it went the next day.
My heart goes out to the parents, the children, the teachers, the state. All I know is that time heals, but it doesn't erase the pain. That's forever. A scar.
I painted today, trying to recapture the painting I ruined, because I had no faith in myself, but I don't think my whole heart was in it.
THE PAINTING, A PHOTO OF MY SUBJECT:
I am not weeping... I am sick to my stomach!. My question is why did the mother own 3 guns which he had taken to use?? Granted she probably had some sort of attraction to guns, so be it... The guns should of been locked up w/their safety engaged... When I went back to work, I noticed parents chose not to be as involved/in tune... I heard countless times when a parent would address a teacher and say " So how are you going to fix this" meaning her child's inadequacy in learning/behavior issues... I heard and read that both parties (GOP and Dems.) are not too thrilled w/implementing a stronger gun control due to the second amendment... Nothing changed after Ms. Gifford was shot, you would of thunk something would of occurred.. then again, common sense and logic are severely lacking. Can u tell I'm pissed??
ReplyDeleteI once went to a rifle range and practiced shooting. I loved it. I loved hitting the target, but I never bought a gun--due to the experience I had with Ellis's army rifle. We owned that one during the 1960 riots. A lot of people armed themselves then. Mobs were roaming the streets during the civil rights disputes. Cities were burning. There were curfews. It was scary. When I made Ellis get rid of it. He sold it to a neighbor, who didn't think the danger was past. As I have suddenly been struck with an interest in our county's history, I am now interested in our state's gun regulations as well as the country's.
DeleteGifford was the latest. James Brady, Reagan's press secretary received the brunt of Hinkley's attempt to assassinate the president--and then there was Oswald/Kennedy and ...and...and Columbine and Kent State. We've got plenty of violence in our history. Is this one any worse because children were involved?
Well, of course, had the kids been armed this couldn't have happened. The NRA is the MOST powerful Lobby; we have them to contend with and our politicians are afraid of them. This kind of thing happens all over the world. It is not limited to Americans. It is an anger issue more than a gun issue. We take art and music and theater and physical education out of the schools and expect no consequences. There are. And it is silly parents who buy their kids guns.
ReplyDeleteMake love not war that's what the arts give us. Lucky for my children and your, there was art in the home and artists to encourage them.
DeleteA wonderful painting Linda!
ReplyDeleteThank you for painting and posting at such a very difficult and tragic time.
I didn't feel like painting yesterday or today. I may try to paint something and post it later.
This painting is beautiful. I needed a little beauty today. Thank you very much.
Peace.
Michael
I made it better, but the opaque watercolors are challenging. I can't get past the fact that they perform best solid. I keep hoping aquarelle washes.
DeleteThank you for your raising the issue that is consuming us all, the events in Connecticut. I've spent a lot of time in the States and can't for the life of me understand the constant making of excuses about gun crime and gun ownership. Yes I know that we have had despicable events in our country as have many others but there are very few countries in what we see as the civilised world who have such an open attitude to gun ownership as you have over there. I realise this will generate the usual arguments about second amendment rights and associated apologetics but my view is that those so called rights are nothing next to the death of a child.
ReplyDeletePeople kill people.
DeleteAnd people with guns kill more quickly and efficiently.
DeleteI found painting today a release from the tragic news. I just cannot imagine what these families are going through.
ReplyDeleteMe too. Painting soothes a lot of souls.
DeleteI have so much to say, but none of it will help. It is sickening, and a national tragedy. I hope we, as a culture, wise up soon.
ReplyDeleteAnd how do we do that? Outlaw guns? Look what happened when we outlawed alcohol. Look what's happening with outlawed drugs. The troubles in Mexico are a lot our fault. We have many consumers in this country.
DeleteI am sick.
ReplyDeleteYou and everybody else.
DeleteYeah...I don't know anyone who isn't heartsick over Connecticut. (Funny, isn't it that the word has "Connect" in it). I love this painting and think that both versions are wonderful. It is a beautiful scene...those cheerful umbrellas! I guess you will always remember these days when you painted those...a mix of the happiness of vacation and sadness for all over the tragedy. Keep painting! :)
ReplyDeleteYou can't stop me. There is a drawback to painting on hotel grounds: neatness. I'n not doing a very good job. I discovered between the room and the beach that they have porous finishes on their tables that won't give up the ultramarine blue.
DeleteI adore beac umbrellas. They've got rhythm.
Unbelievable tragedy! And there have been so many others like it this year.
ReplyDeleteI read once upon a time that crowded living conditions bring out the worst in us. Crowded conditions isn't limited to living space, but to the stress of too many responsibilities and demands for excellence. Big topic.
DeleteThere are no words I can find that would be adequate.
ReplyDeleteI know. I had trouble finding some for this post. There are no right words.
DeleteIt was a tragedy indeed and my thoughts goes to the families. I know that it is a tradition and a "right" over there, but I would never feel safe living there. But that is what I am used to, I am sure it is different for you over there.
ReplyDeleteWhat are the gun laws in Sweden? I would be interested in those regulations and laws in other countries as well as crimes per year where guns were involved.
Deletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_politics
Deletehttp://www.gunpolicy.org/firearms/region/sweden
googled for u....
Ik ga maar niet in op deze narigheid ik hou het maar bij je schilderij heel treffend geschilderd lieve groetjes Danielle
ReplyDeletetragic ... no words for what happened .
ReplyDeleteyour painting is super linda