BIG EYES
The movie, based on true life events was produced by Tim Burton and had Amy Adams as Margaret Keane and Christoph Waltz as Walter Keane.
Margaret, a born artist, had just two things in her life: her daughter and her painting. Being separated from her first husband, she was left with the responsibility of taking care of her only child which brought about desperation. She found herself in a furniture company, and in order to be unique, she started drawing on the beds portrait of kids with ‘big eyes’.
This was her art. Her paintings had eyes that were way out of proportion.
But guess what? People loved it.
Then along the line, she met Walter Keane who also claimed to be a painter and he asked Margaret about herself and the inspiration behind the big eyes.
Margaret said, “We can see things with the eyes and it was how she expressed her emotion.”
She also revealed she had an ear infection when she was a kid and this caused her to stare at people then, making her eyes pop.
The story then took a new turn, Margaret and Walter got married. You know the camaraderie that follows a bite from 'the bug'. Sweetness.
Margaret continued her painting but Walter took the credit. Margaret was shy, and a good salesman must get rid of all shyness. Margaret wasn’t a saleswoman, it would have been better if she was even bad at being a saleswoman. She just wanted to paint.
They made money, bought a mansion, bought cars and all sort of good things. The good life eh?
Things really was sweet and rosy, especially for Walter who had to sign autographs and grant interviews; but for Margaret, she only had money –her only friend was chased by the dubious Walter- and her studio, where only her and her husband could enter. No one must know that Walter wasn’t the painter of Big Eyes - - not even Margaret's daughter.
Walter Keane’s works however was rejected by the Society of Western Artists. They rejected him and his works, even though his works were popular and making sales.
My favourite part however was when Walter and Margaret were divorced and Jehovah witnesses came to preach the good news to Margaret at her new home far away from her ex-husband. Margaret found a new peace after the message and her life became new.
She was now proud of her works and sued Walter for libel and slander. The court after clear processes went in favour of Margaret who was the true artist, and for the first time in her life, she signed an autograph.
She was free and happy. The same works that the Society of western Artists rejected was accepted by them when the true artist emerged. They knew Walter to be a con man.
It is noteworthy to state here that nothing about Margaret’s painting changed, what changed was her mindset towards her painting.
So whatever it is you might be doing, keep at it and be a master in it. (I believe what you are doing is legal anyway.) Be proud of your works, and with time the world will peep from those big eyes of yours.
~Angel Messi~
