a newspaper man adjusts his pen

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

The artichoke dream

"Artichoke" by Scott Beveridge 9/20/2009

By Scott Beveridge

The notion to paint an artichoke with watercolors came to me in a dream.

It was one of those eureka-type dreams that jolted me awake feeling as if a message had been delivered in a premonition not to be dismissed.

As a cynic, I’ve never given much credence to these visionary moments of mystical inspiration that are better suited for the likes of actress Shirley McClain.

The dream about six months ago led me to believe my subconscious mind was suggesting that I focus again on my roots as an artist at a time when scores of newspapers reporters like me were being furloughed in an industry that has been struggling to adapt to the free Internet age.

Then the dream became a silly joke fueled by my fellow blogger Amanda Gillooly, whose hilarious musings occasionally appear on this Web site.

Gillooly wouldn’t let go of the spiritual guidance that the dream delivered, and occasionally hounded me to grab the brushes, tubes of paint and watercolor paper to fulfill destiny.

The pleasant, sunny weather on Sunday gave me no excuse to get to work.

But then the strangest message arrived in an email tonight from another friend, who will remain anonymous, containing the “official” interpretation of a dream about this edible flower.

Here it is from fatedreams.com:

To see or eat an artichoke in your dream, suggests that you need to get to the heart of some matter. It is also representative of your potential and creativity. Perhaps you are holding back in how you want to express yourself.

"That's weird," is all I can say.

3 comments:

Amanda Blu said...

Hey, people pay more money for less-quality stuff. For instance, didn't someone spend all kinds of cash on a grilled cheese that had a burn mark that looked like Jesus.

But I digress: You never know what the day will bring.

Perhaps some eccentric horticulturalist will commission you to paint a series of vegetables.

Anyway, nice artichoke.

And impressed by your wordsmithing, too, buddy.

Anonymous said...

I know a local artists who got a compliment on his first fruit painting and has made quite a career and a name for himself painting only fruits and vegetables. I'm with Amanda. Maybe this is your calling. Perhaps your particular 'mission from God'. I have to say, it's a great looking artichoke and I'd love to hang it in my office.

Pammy Murphy said...

I'm impressed! I had no idea you had this hidden talent!