New England Gothic?

Bob Gutowski · Post by **Bob Gutowski** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 3:06 pm

There's an interesting little piece in today's NY Times, about the house on which Grant Wood based his painting, "American Gothic." When I read again that the female figure is meant by the author to be the farmer's daughter, I suddenly imagined I saw Lizzie and Andrew in the painting, in front of his Greek Revival house, with the roof-line so similar to the Carpenter Gothic one in the painting. The incest subtext is there if you choose to see it, with the daughter cast in the role of wife (severe hair-style, apron) gazing enigmatically at the father, who stares down the observer.

I wish I was a good enough artist to render Andrew and Lizzie, with Andrew's hand not grasping a pitchfork, but upon that ax (?) with which he (may have) slaughtered those pigeons. Maybe someone else will be inspired to attempt it...

pigeonsandpears · Post by **pigeonsandpears** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 3:18 pm

I'll try that and see what I can come up with!

pigeonsandpears · Post by **pigeonsandpears** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 3:41 pm

I put this together very quickly, maybe I'll try a more detailed one with the actual Borden house later...

Bob Gutowski · Post by **Bob Gutowski** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 4:00 pm

OH MY GOD!

Yup, that's it!

Edisto · Post by **Edisto** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 4:14 pm

Ooooh...that's eerie. Nice work, P&P! The original guy in the Grant Wood work strongly resembles my own father, I've always thought. Fortunately, I look nothing like the wife/daughter, nor did my mother resemble her.

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 7:53 pm

Wow, thats cool, Clint! Not something you see everyday. As a matter of fact, it made me wonder; there doesn't seem to be any group photos of the Bordens. I'm sure its possible that some may exist out there, maybe a pic of Emma and Lizzie together or Andrew and Abby. That would be an interesting photo to see!

pigeonsandpears · Post by **pigeonsandpears** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 8:02 pm

I have already done a family portrait. It looks better than the photo above. This photo was put together quickly... as a joke photo! lol

I do wish we could find a real photo of the entire family.

Haulover · Post by **Haulover** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 9:34 pm

very nice, indeed. i'm impressed. not trying to tell you your business -- but have you thought about story boarding these in some way? i mean, you've got the technique down. maybe there's a story.

i'm thinking of that author -- i forget his name -- who illustrated the story.

anyway, it's uplifting to see such a good technique. you know we're just going to want more and more.

you're using photoshop?

pigeonsandpears · Post by **pigeonsandpears** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 10:45 pm

No, I've never used Photoshop.

Storyboard? You mean like for films? I used to do animated films, but it takes forever. Most of them were only about 20 seconds.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 12:01 am

That's fantastic!
Can you take it down, put your name all over it, and put it back?

pigeonsandpears · Post by **pigeonsandpears** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 12:36 am

You mean take it down to and repost with my name on it? To copy protect?? I don't care if someone copies it, it's not a very good pic.