Verdi Cries

1992 (original 1988)
Watercolor, pen and ink, color pencil.
6 ¾" x 9"

This piece was inspired by the 10,000 Maniacs’ song of the same name. Written by Natalie Merchant, the song is a nostalgic look back at a vacation spent at the beach when she was a young girl:

The man in one-nineteen takes his tea all alone.
Mornings we all rise to wireless Verdi cries.
I'm hearing opera through the door.
The souls of men and women, impassioned all
Their voices climb and fall, battle trumpets call
I fill the bath and climb inside, singing:
"La la la la la la
"La la la la la la"

It's actually the third or fourth version of the piece; and I'm still not completely happy with the piece! Someday I'll take yet another crack at it.