"Slight Return"
Kristin Abraham
acrylic on canvas - 24 Inches x 30 Inches
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“Well, I stand up next to a mountain
Chop it down with the edge of my hand
Well, I pick up all the pieces and make an island
Might even raise just a little sand
'Cause I'm a voodoo child
Lord knows I'm a voodoo child”
~Jimi Hendrix
The lyrics above are written by Seattle-born, Jimi Hendrix for the song titled “Voodoo Child (Slight Return).” This song was the initial inspiration for the Washington painting, “Slight Return.” Those who have followed The Nomadic Project journey know that Washington was celebrated as the halfway point. We rewarded ourselves with a “slight return” to normalcy by spending a week in a studio apartment and enjoying the company of family. Washington’s location forms a direct diagonal from The Nomadic Project’s birth in Southern Florida. This northwest celebration consisted of home-cooked meals and laughter with familiar faces.
However, our time in Washington was about more than just enjoying the comforts of “home.” It was complemented by discovery. Some significant moments include: reaching the base of Mount St. Helen’s, standing at the North West corner of the continental U.S. (looking out onto Tatoosh Island), and discovering Washington’s deep roots in music history (from Kurt Cobain’s hometown- Aberdeen, to Seattle’s underground jazz scene where Ray Charles cut his first recordings). However, it wasn’t until I found myself standing in front of Jimi Hendrix’ handwritten lyrics for Voodoo Child that I realized how all of these experiences could come together in one composition. I walked away from the Jimi Hendrix shrine and found myself sketching a design on the balcony of the EMP (Experience Music Project).
The mountain in the background is Mount Saint Helens. In reality, the volcano does not rest on the coast, yet since its eruption, the giant does look as if the top has been chopped off. While the mountain violently erupted in May of 1980 the lava was too sticky to flow, so most of the damage was caused by a massive rockslide as the top and side were blown off. Darkness covered the northwest, and today, traces of ash are found over the entire globe. Many still recall “pick(ing) up all the pieces,” and evidence remains in the land as it continues to heal. This active volcano seems peaceful beneath glowing snow, yet in 2004 Mount Saint Helens awoke from hibernation. Today, as it forms a new cone and releases blooms of steam, we are reminded that there isn’t a question of if it will erupt again, but when.
The House of Fine Art
View and purchase "Slight Return" at The House of Fine Art in
Downtown Livingston, Montana
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