Baby (installation view)
       
     
panel 1 of 12
       
     
panel 2 of 12
       
     
panel 2 of 12 (detail)
       
     
panel 3 of 12
       
     
panel 4 of 12
       
     
panel 5 of 12
       
     
panel 6 of 12
       
     
panel 7 of 12
       
     
panel 8 of 12
       
     
panel 9 of 12
       
     
panel 10 of 12
       
     
panel 11 of 12
       
     
panel 12 of 12
       
     
panel 12 of 12 (detail)
       
     
Baby (installation view)
       
     
Baby (installation view)

Title: Baby
Date: 1994
Medium: 12 continuous paintings, oil on linen, sandblasted cedar, plywood frame, title plaques
Dimensions: 40” X 52’
Susan Hobbs Gallery

panel 1 of 12
       
     
panel 1 of 12

Date: 1994
Medium: oil on linen, sandblasted cedar, plywood frame, title plaque
Susan Hobbs Gallery

I was up inside the canyon,
when I saw the baby’s face.
Never plant the seed,
if you’re expecting grace.
Crying time. It’s crying time
Crying time again.

panel 2 of 12
       
     
panel 2 of 12

Date: 1994
Medium: oil on linen, sandblasted cedar, plywood frame, title plaque
Susan Hobbs Gallery

In the rocks I see her face,
but then the river floods the place.
The rock is tall and I so small.
Muddy water’s changin’ all I know.

panel 2 of 12 (detail)
       
     
panel 2 of 12 (detail)
panel 3 of 12
       
     
panel 3 of 12

Date: 1994
Medium: oil on linen, sandblasted cedar, plywood frame, title plaque

Susan Hobbs Gallery

I looked in the face of my little child.
I held her close to see her smile.
But balance slipped.
I lost my grip.
She weighed eight pounds.
She hit the ground.

panel 4 of 12
       
     
panel 4 of 12

Date: 1994
Medium: oil on linen, sandblasted cedar, plywood frame, title plaque
Susan Hobbs Gallery

A rock so high
nothin' can climb it.
not even a bird
Can fly to find it.

 

panel 5 of 12
       
     
panel 5 of 12

Date: 1994
Medium: oil on linen, sandblasted cedar, plywood frame, title plaque
Susan Hobbs Gallery

And down the cliffs
to the river fall.
But rise the water
to that high wall.

 

panel 6 of 12
       
     
panel 6 of 12

Date: 1994
Medium: oil on linen, sandblasted cedar, plywood frame, title plaque
Susan Hobbs Gallery

And takes back
all it left behind.
Takes it back,
so I can’t find,
my baby.

 

panel 7 of 12
       
     
panel 7 of 12

Date: 1994
Medium: oil on linen, sandblasted cedar, plywood frame, title plaque
Susan Hobbs Gallery

If only she would suck,
like other babies do.
If only she would sleep,
like a baby too.

 

panel 8 of 12
       
     
panel 8 of 12

Date: 1994
Medium: oil on linen, sandblasted cedar, plywood frame, title plaque
Susan Hobbs Gallery

With a drop of a hat
or a key down a grate.
I lost her like that,
with a slip of fate.

 

panel 9 of 12
       
     
panel 9 of 12

Date: 1994
Medium: oil on linen, sandblasted cedar, plywood frame, title plaque
Susan Hobbs Gallery

I tripped and fell.
My arms flew out.
The baby too.
The rest of the story is not up to you.
She hit the ground.
And that is that.

panel 10 of 12
       
     
panel 10 of 12

Date: 1994
Medium: oil on linen, sandblasted cedar, plywood frame, title plaque
Susan Hobbs Gallery

I went to the river
and thought I’d jump in.
Her smiling face stopped me. Again.
Smiling face, or crying time,
it’s sure to make me feel alive.

panel 11 of 12
       
     
panel 11 of 12

Date: 1994
Medium: oil on linen, sandblasted cedar, plywood frame, title plaque
Susan Hobbs Gallery

Over the hill. On top of the clock.
Beside my bed. On the canyon walk.
I know you won’t mind,
if it’s crying time.

panel 12 of 12
       
     
panel 12 of 12

Date: 1994
Medium: oil on linen, sandblasted cedar, plywood frame, title plaqu
Susan Hobbs Gallery

Woo woo woo.
Boo hoo hoo.
Woo woo woo.
Ooo ooo ooo.

panel 12 of 12 (detail)
       
     
panel 12 of 12 (detail)