Charlotte Thompson
Well-known member
This is a new series I am currently working on. I found some vintage clown photos in my never ending searches.
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The sad Darkness of Clowns
- Thread starter Charlotte Thompson
- Start date
Maggie Terlecki
Moderator
Charlotte
Apparently some of the earliest clowns were Black Minstrels.
Here an article:
http://www.charliethejugglingclown.com/minstrels.htm
reminds me of:
Minstrel Man by Langston Hughes
Because my mouth
is with with laughter
and my throat
is deep with song
you did not think
I suffer after
I've held my pain
so long
Because my mouth
is wide with laughter
you do not hear
my inner cry
because my feet
are gay with dancing
you do not know
I die
Apparently some of the earliest clowns were Black Minstrels.
Here an article:
http://www.charliethejugglingclown.com/minstrels.htm
reminds me of:
Minstrel Man by Langston Hughes
Because my mouth
is with with laughter
and my throat
is deep with song
you did not think
I suffer after
I've held my pain
so long
Because my mouth
is wide with laughter
you do not hear
my inner cry
because my feet
are gay with dancing
you do not know
I die
Jarmo Juntunen
Well-known member
Wow, scary as hell! Clowns always give me the creeps. I like what you've done with these pictures.
Jerome Marot
Well-known member
Indeed. I like the pictures and the clowns are creepy.
Charlotte Thompson
Well-known member
Maggie
Thank you for the link. I haven't found any Black Clowns yet! I adore Langston Huges but have never read this poem...truly fits.
So I went looking for clown poetry and found this piece written by a clown that fits as well to the art pieces-
Tears and Fears
by Val “Raindrop” Worby (Clown)
No, please don’t force her, let her turn away,
You may find me funny, but she doesn’t see things quite your way.
Perhaps some other time, some other place,
She might feel able to look upon my brightly painted face.
Please don’t ridicule her very real fears,
Don’t increase the flow of your own child’s tears;
Or say those cruel things that adults often say,
In a vain attempt to drive childish fears away.
Don’t call her silly, nor make her feel in some way to blame,
For she is just one of many who feel the same.
We each of us fear something, although few admit it’s true;
Some adults fear clown faces just as some children do;
Unable to see the real face, be it that of a sinner or saint,
Fearing what may lurk behind the bright wig and the greasepaint.
Wondering if the painted smile hides some evil intent,
Are the jokes friendly overtures? – is kindness or cruelty meant?
To you the clown is just a parody of life, – an amusing sight;
But to your child I’m gruesome and she’s taken fright.
She doesn’t want to risk what her eyes might reach, if they penetrate.
The truth behind the gaudy mask that hides the real me, so let her wait
Until she is older, when her terrors may subside
And she may feel brave enough to look at this clown, and at the real me inside.
Sometimes I too have looked at a clown and known not to trust what I see,
The fear of what sometimes lurks beneath the disguise is one familiar to me.
I love most of my fellow clowns – but there are one or two
I wouldn’t care to trust in anything they say or do.
So, until that other place, that other day
Please go! Please take your child away!
Dry your tears, little friend, I won’t force myself upon you
For, you see, today you met a clown who fears the very same thing you do.
Thank you for the link. I haven't found any Black Clowns yet! I adore Langston Huges but have never read this poem...truly fits.
So I went looking for clown poetry and found this piece written by a clown that fits as well to the art pieces-
Tears and Fears
by Val “Raindrop” Worby (Clown)
No, please don’t force her, let her turn away,
You may find me funny, but she doesn’t see things quite your way.
Perhaps some other time, some other place,
She might feel able to look upon my brightly painted face.
Please don’t ridicule her very real fears,
Don’t increase the flow of your own child’s tears;
Or say those cruel things that adults often say,
In a vain attempt to drive childish fears away.
Don’t call her silly, nor make her feel in some way to blame,
For she is just one of many who feel the same.
We each of us fear something, although few admit it’s true;
Some adults fear clown faces just as some children do;
Unable to see the real face, be it that of a sinner or saint,
Fearing what may lurk behind the bright wig and the greasepaint.
Wondering if the painted smile hides some evil intent,
Are the jokes friendly overtures? – is kindness or cruelty meant?
To you the clown is just a parody of life, – an amusing sight;
But to your child I’m gruesome and she’s taken fright.
She doesn’t want to risk what her eyes might reach, if they penetrate.
The truth behind the gaudy mask that hides the real me, so let her wait
Until she is older, when her terrors may subside
And she may feel brave enough to look at this clown, and at the real me inside.
Sometimes I too have looked at a clown and known not to trust what I see,
The fear of what sometimes lurks beneath the disguise is one familiar to me.
I love most of my fellow clowns – but there are one or two
I wouldn’t care to trust in anything they say or do.
So, until that other place, that other day
Please go! Please take your child away!
Dry your tears, little friend, I won’t force myself upon you
For, you see, today you met a clown who fears the very same thing you do.
Charlotte Thompson
Well-known member
Jarmo
They scare me too! Thank you.
Charlotte-
Jerome
Clowns scare me as well and I think what I did with the photos takes us to Clown Hell.
Thanks!
Charlotte-
They scare me too! Thank you.
Charlotte-
Jerome
Clowns scare me as well and I think what I did with the photos takes us to Clown Hell.
Thanks!
Charlotte-
Maggie Terlecki
Moderator
thanks for the poem Charlotte 
I think it's the fact the face paint hides their expressions, like the fake smile over one that is not there. I also have this creepy feeling when people wear those glasses that tint by themselves and it hides their eyes when they are indoors if it is bright. I always feel that I would prefer to see their eyes -- creeps me out a little.
I think it's the fact the face paint hides their expressions, like the fake smile over one that is not there. I also have this creepy feeling when people wear those glasses that tint by themselves and it hides their eyes when they are indoors if it is bright. I always feel that I would prefer to see their eyes -- creeps me out a little.
Wolfgang Plattner
Well-known member
Hi Charlotte,
they don't scare me, there is too much of melancholy and sadness in those pictures for that ...
Where do you find the basic photographs for your work?
they don't scare me, there is too much of melancholy and sadness in those pictures for that ...
Where do you find the basic photographs for your work?
Charlotte Thompson
Well-known member
Maggie
I agree. Where is the true self people we are! I don't like people who won't look me in the eye either!
Wolfgang
You can search google and you can search pinterest which for me normally holds a better vintage collection... I always have an idea of what appeals to me to work with so I am very picky that's why it takes a while to find them.
I agree. Where is the true self people we are! I don't like people who won't look me in the eye either!
Wolfgang
You can search google and you can search pinterest which for me normally holds a better vintage collection... I always have an idea of what appeals to me to work with so I am very picky that's why it takes a while to find them.
Asher Kelman
OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
I'm in awe, Charlotte!
I have visited several times but each time, all I did his enjoy your work. Yes, the clouds seem to know bad stuff. Life is like that sometimes.
Asher
I have visited several times but each time, all I did his enjoy your work. Yes, the clouds seem to know bad stuff. Life is like that sometimes.
Asher
Robert Watcher
Well-known member
It is so refreshing seeing your creations Charlotte - the texturing and layers on this series is very visually appealing.
James Lemon
Well-known member
Where do you come up with the images?
Charlotte Thompson
Well-known member
Asher
Thank you! The idea with the clowns came from a conversation that I had remembered. I really never thought clowns were especially funny or appealing because it seemed they hid something.. a shadow, a darkness but not themselves...just me my impressions . I am sure not all clowns are the way I perceive them either.
Robert
Thank you so much! The idea. the creation, and always with that you throw in emotion.
James
Well pretty much straight out of my mind. I love vintage photography in all its connotations, implications and beauty. I use photoshop elements 12 and Picasa for rendering the final product. There are layers upon layers of art, shading, cropping and other tools I use. I usually set a mood and its usually somber. Today 12 years developing my process. and still working on that. The photo must appeal to me and I can work on pretty much any photo.
Thank you! The idea with the clowns came from a conversation that I had remembered. I really never thought clowns were especially funny or appealing because it seemed they hid something.. a shadow, a darkness but not themselves...just me my impressions . I am sure not all clowns are the way I perceive them either.
Robert
Thank you so much! The idea. the creation, and always with that you throw in emotion.
James
Well pretty much straight out of my mind. I love vintage photography in all its connotations, implications and beauty. I use photoshop elements 12 and Picasa for rendering the final product. There are layers upon layers of art, shading, cropping and other tools I use. I usually set a mood and its usually somber. Today 12 years developing my process. and still working on that. The photo must appeal to me and I can work on pretty much any photo.