The New Hat

Sometimes, it is the simplest things that make the most impact.

It’s easy to forget this, hampered as we are by too many impersonal voices... more

by Steve Henderson

Buy the Original Painting

Price

$1,800

Dimensions

20.000 x 20.000 inches

Title

The New Hat

Artist

Steve Henderson

Medium

Painting - Oil On Panel

Description

Sometimes, it is the simplest things that make the most impact.

It’s easy to forget this, hampered as we are by too many impersonal voices hammering away at our ears: the news, the movies, TV series that purport to show reality but do nothing such, home improvement shows that undermine our confidence in the very home we live in, and advertising – everywhere, advertising, which has the sole goal of convincing us we need something we never knew that we needed.

It is at times like this that we, understandably, hearken back to “the good old days,” which is generally a period 30 more years ago from now, and long for the simplicity we find in vintage nostalgia.

“Life was simpler back then,” we sigh, and in some ways – because “back then” didn’t involve so much TV, Internet, mass media, or smart phone interruptions – this is true. The artwork, The New Hat, invites us to step back in time, and out of the office cubicle, for a moment and join a young woman as she tries on a new hat, inspecting the full result in the mirror.

There is that sense of excitement in acquiring something new, something wanted, something attractive and pretty and well made – we all understand this, because we’ve all gone shopping for something and felt good about acquiring the perfect purchase, something that we’ve been looking for.

But because shopping is so much a part of our lives that it becomes another chore, we forget to indulge in that little moment of satisfaction when we purchase a little, perfect item – like a new hat. “Don’t be like a child,” we tell ourselves, “getting excited over little things.”

Well, what is wrong with being like a child, if this is what children do? Wouldn’t we be wise, as adults, to learn from children to take pleasure in, and express gratitude for, the small, simple things?

(The New Hat is set in the Boldman House in Dayton, WA. Artwork complementing this one are Phonograph Days, Ending the Day on a Good Note, and Midday Tea, also on this site.)

Featured in 24 Fine Art America groups.

Second Place prize, Vintage and Art Fashion contest on Fine Art America.

Uploaded

May 30th, 2017