Comments on: Rosemary Walls’ Paintings – The Glass Castle

By: Joyce

Joyce — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:33:32 +0000

I’m sorry, Jini. I misspelled your name. Apologies!

By: Joyce

Joyce — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:32:03 +0000

I read The Glass Castle, and was so interested in this dysfunctional family, and the amazing woman (Jeannette) who somehow rose like a phoenix from what would have sunk anyone else, that I quickly downloaded her more recent book, Half-Broke Horses. This is the story of Jeannette’s grandmother, Lily, and if I were to do a psychological profile of Rosemary, I’d see a strong link between the neglect of her children and the abuse rained down on Rosemary by her own mother. A turning point appears to be a severe beating of Rosemary by her mother, after which the relationship between mother and daughter seems to have never been repaired. At one point, Rosemary tells her mother that one thing she has learned from her mother is that if she has children she will never hit them. Instead she seems to have retreated from them and neglected them.
Rosemary’s choice of Rex, the wild drinking Air Force pilot stationed at the nearby base, was strongly disapproved of by her mother, but in many ways he was just as tough and wild and free-thinking as Lily. Jeannette Walls has written two books (at least these two that I know of) that are just brilliant.
Jeni, I can understand your asking this very important question about brilliance and creativity and the ability (or not) to parent well. I think in this case, there were some mental health issues that never got addressed.
Does anyone know if Jeannette has children? And if not, did she choose not to?

By: Jeanne

Jeanne — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:12:13 +0000

I know Rosemary walls from the mid 1980′s. She was living in a van parked on the street where I had a homestead or “squat” in the East Village. The tenants association took pity on her and gave her the best apt in the building. She said she’d left her abusive, drunkard wanna-be writer husband Rex and Promised he would never be back in her life. In short order he was living with her along witha her Amazon 19yr old daughter (author’s sister) who appears sweet & virginal. Against my advice she was given the apt next to mamma. Within a week it became apparent she was a street Hooker.they were a nightmare & Rosemary’s “art” sucked & she IS nuts! I could write a book about them! They made our lives hell. Rex stole the electric for them, while we froze in the dark & then proclaimed himself King of the building.
A stupid, shellfish woman! But colorful, that’s for sure
Oh, and Rex tried to kill me once, may he rot in hell. Your art is lovely, by the way. Thanks for letting me vent!

By: kristy

kristy — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 03:00:27 +0000

ya for sylvia plath’s kids it pretty much ruined their lives. The son hung himself two years ago and the daughter , Frieda an accomplished painter and writer in australia is a very angry individual. She wrote a poem about her mom’s suicide.

By: JINI

JINI — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 04:43:39 +0000

Well said, and you are a woman with the mental health and maturity to successfully balance your creativity and motherhood.

I don’t think that’s what we’re dealing with here though. I think her mother was a significantly mucked-up person and I’m sure many would put her in the ‘mentally ill’ camp. So what I am attempting to examine is her justification to herself. Indeed a justification that has been used (successfully) by men throughout history.

Then you look at someone like Sylvia Plath – were her children any less damaged because she killed herself, rather than abuse them? Who knows?

By: LOUISE BUNDY

LOUISE BUNDY — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 05:49:25 +0000

I completely agree with Bailey. I am a ballet, tap, jazz teacher/choreographer. I started teaching when my daughter was seven. She took class with me and we danced together. She went on to be a dancer in the LA Junior Ballet at sixteen. I also trained and showed Tennessee Walking horses and she rode and went to all of our shows. While I had great love for my creative outlet, my greatest creations were my children. They had to come first but I also included them in my creative endeavors. I have nothing but contempt for the lazy, selfish woman who neglected Jeanette and her siblings. A child is a total innocent and must be made to feel safe at all costs.

By: BAILEY

BAILEY — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 12:19:54 +0000

The woman was an idiot who neglected her kids. Who cares if she had a passion? most of us have some sort of passion but that does not excuse her for not wanting to work and take care of a family. I’m glad those paintings never sold

By: JINI

JINI — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:11:36 +0000

Hey thanks Caroline! And I LOVE Snowflower and the Secret Fan – talk about a book that stays with you, very powerful. Another great book is White Tiger by Aravind Adiga. hugs,
Jini

By: Caroline Malouf

Caroline Malouf — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:46:43 +0000

Hi Jini, Did I ever tell you that your art is so “likable” so fresh, clean and organic. (kinda like you) I have a pretty big email that I need to send you about my probiotic update. By the way “The Glass Castle” is my favorite book of all time. Have you read “Snowflower and the Secret Fan”?…. another favorite.

Love,

Caroline Malouf

By: Ashley

Ashley — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 09:24:08 +0000

I sensed that there is something rather familiar about your approach to life and sense of humour – a dear friend of mine is also from Kenya (her family hail from Mombasa) and she also wrings a grin out of me with her perspective on things. Must be that early exposure to “hakuna matata” attitude…

In regards to the absentee mother, I know you were postulating and attempting to put into play that underused tool of perspective taking. I was coming from a purely evolutionary perspective (which more often than not, has holes in its theories of the mind) which holds that the “mothering instinct” is biologically very strong – and in cases where it fails to develop that it may be reflecting underlying alteration in the way the woman is either wired or her “chemicals” are regulated. This, in itself, may do wonders for artistic ability – but may take toll on her mother ability. Regardless, the story itself is a great testimony to the resilience of children – and gives hope that – provided you are accepting of it – the universe is indeed conspiring for you to succeed.

By: JINI

JINI — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 06:08:24 +0000

Jeanne – quilting is something I haven’t tried yet, but some of them are truly amazing and even better – you can use them and enjoy them every night! You go girl.

Ashley – Yes, I’m not saying art or any other passion provides an acceptable excuse for neglecting and causing your children to suffer. I’m clumsily attempting to say that at least – if she was an amazing artist – it would have given some *inkling* of understanding to the motivation behind her behaviour. Which is otherwise so unfathomable.

Also keep in mind, that being a Catholic in that era, she probably did not “choose” to have children. I wouldn’t be surprised if it never occurred to her that she could have chosen not to have them – in which case I suspect she would indeed have remained childless. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

And glad you like the elephant – it’s one of my favorites. When I was 2 years old an elephant charged our car whilst on safari (in Kenya where I was born). I was on the side of the car facing the elephant and this painting is pretty much what I remember seeing out that window before I dived onto the floor!

By: ashley

ashley — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 07:35:30 +0000

Stunning, Jini. The texture you captured for the elephant skin is amazing to behold. I hope your creativity and talent is something your kids inherit – which brings me to your question regarding the mother in the Glass Castle (thanks for the book recommendation). Is the question really whether or not her art was subjectively “good enough” to warrant not only neglect – but something closer to abandonment? At the risk of coming across as overly judgemental, I would have to think that there was something inherently “off” with the woman given that neglect came so easy for her. It really isn’t normally that much of a choice. The bond between mother and child usually dominates all other “loves” – be it for their partner or their passion for their art. Evolution has seen that is the best way to ensure the survival of the species. This has probably led to the derailment of many career-minded women whose priorities just happened to change when they had their child. We know that it will eventually come to this, and I know many women competing in traditionally male dominated fields (such as Professors) who felt that they had to decide which way they wanted their lives to go because, as much as we may protest, it is awfully difficult to have it all the way things are currently set up.

By: Jeanne Akin

Jeanne Akin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:22:38 +0000

I wish I could paint as lovely as both of you have done! My creativity comes from making quilts for children in need. I have been told they are really beautiful but it is not why I do it. I just want to help a child feel love and security.