Fatherhood, no matter how carefully a man plans for it, is always the unexpected gift.
It keeps on giving, in ways that are by turns rewarding, frustrating, shocking, infuriating, amusing, and overwhelming.
Now that another Father’s Day has safely come and gone, it is time for a few choice sayings about fatherhood, from some eloquent cultural forefathers:
“The Child is father of the Man…”
-William Wordsworth
“When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.”
- Mark Twain
“Fathers should neither be seen nor heard. That is the only proper basis for family life.”
- Oscar Wilde
The Unexpected Gift (1995). Paper collage on board created & copyright © by Eric Edelman. All rights reserved.
“A man knows when he is growing old because he begins to look like his father.”
- Gabriel García Márquez
“When one has not had a good father, one must create one.”
- Friedrich Nietzsche
Spectacular image !!
Thanks very much, Sharon!
The textures of the collage elements really stand out in black and white. Nice one!
Thanks, Robin! Yes, it was fun to work in black and white and against a black background.
Perfect quotes to go along with your artwork!
Thanks, Carol! That’s what I thought when I found them (a real stroke of luck).
Poor guy looks pretty stressed out lol.
Paula
lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com
Yes, Paula, it must be an interesting life being the father of such a boy!
Brilliant, makes it even better in black & white
have a good WW!
Thanks, Steve. It is good to revisit black and white once in a while; it freshens one’s view, and shakes things up a bit.
That is a very interesting collage. In fact, I think that it’s actually worth studying. I have several different ideas into its overall meaning; but can’t entirely nail it down just yet.
Thanks for your comment. That’s how I felt about it when I first participated in making it; and I still feel that way when I revisit it now. My interpretations of it vary from day to day.
I love that quote by Mark Twain!
It’s also a favorite of ours, Theresa!
So creative!! Happy WW
Thanks, Brandi!
That was some explosive gift!
Yes indeed, Danielle–it was (and still is) quite explosive…the gift that keeps on giving, & exploding! Thanks for your visit and comment.
Mark Twain got that one right. Brilliant man.
As he usually did, Joyce. He was quite brilliant.
Being a Father certainly has it’s high points. It also has frustrating times as well.
Yes, it certainly does, Alissa.
One can always trust Twain and Wilde to sum up the matter, lol
And to wickedly humorous effect, Jessica!
Beautiful combo of quotes and artwork!
Happy Wednesday!
Thanks very much, Veronica!
Awesome collection of father quotes! Great collage, too – I like the black and white, but can’t help but imagine just the butterfly with your usual vibrant color.
Thanks, Aquariann! And that is a great idea; it would really stand out that way.
Do I spot a butterfly in that circle? YAY!
You do, indeed–an ascending one! Thanks for your visit and your comment, Tracy.