"You Knocked" Painting

The Inspiration

Painted/named from the song "Doors" by Noah Kahan.

I'm floored this painting has spoken to so many of you, as it is, without a doubt, one I am most proud of.

Loaded with symbolism, it touches surrealism in a way I never thought I'd be interested in... yet I found a new love and appreciation for. This large painting took over 2 months, with over 60 layers of oil paint and cold wax.

I had a vision of this image in my head for a few years, but was honestly too afraid of failure to even attempt it. It's probably a good thing I waited though, because when one of my favorite artists, Noah Kahan, released his newest album and I heard a particular song, this image popped back into my head.

I knew it was time to paint it, no matter how fearful of failure I was. The technicality of this painting was far beyond anything I've ever attempted, so I was only fractionally-confident I could even pull it off.

There's a confidence that comes with chasing down a dream you know you're meant to pursue though- I just knew I was meant to bring this image to life. The technicalities and self-doubt fell to the wayside as my emotions took over...

This painting is for those who unfortunately know the struggle of mental and/or chronic illness, and have been lucky enough to have a friend/partner/spouse/family member choose them- again and again. For those days when you feel like a “waste of a human” (as I’ve described myself many times to my supportive, incredible husband) and a reminder that those support systems knocked anyway, knowing the shame, guilt, trauma and storm that lies behind, because they care and think we’re worth it.

They saw the water on the floor, heard the crashing waves, and opened anyway.

You are not a waste of space. You may have been dealt a shitty hand…
You may not have gotten to choose the foundation or walls in which your life was built…
Your life matters just the same.
You are here for a reason.
May love keep you safe.

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Symbolism

•Portal: In the song, Kahan sings, "I'm left starin' at the ceilin', listing reasons you should pack all your shit up. That I'm the trouble ahead, that I scream in my sleep. You're putting money on red, a sure bet at a losin' streak." I painted this because I felt this song so deeply: a life I don't even want to live sometimes, and pain that I certainly don't love, but my best friend- my husband- the most incredible man I know- pulls me back up... again and again and again and again. He holds me up for air when I can't manage it myself... which is unfortunately too often. I deal with childhood trauma which led to chronic health issues that I wouldn't wish on anyone. I deal with grief most won't know in a lifetime. He's seen it all and chooses me every day. This painting is for those who continue to stand at the door and beckon the light to break through in those of us who struggle to care for our own well-being. (Matt, my world be so very dark without you. I know for certain I wouldn't still be here if you hadn't continued to save me. I love you.)

•Dilapidation: Representative of a past/foundation that was not chosen, and through no fault of the Door's owner- trauma, abuse, illness, an unfair hand. Brokenness.

•Peggy Martin Roses: "An unbreakable spirit of renewal." I will link the full story of these very special roses here, but this is a quick rendition: When the owner of these roses, Peggy Martin, had to evacuate for Hurricane Katrina, she came back to find that they had not only survived multiple feet of salt water for several weeks (and the subsequent multitude of southern-heat-level-baked mud afterward) but they were vividly blooming. She lost her parents in the hurricane, their homes were leveled, and not a single other plant of hers made it through- but this rose not only survived, but thrived.

These roses aren't currently documented to grow through concrete, meaning the Door's owner chose to plant them in what was an empty plot of broken cement. Additionally, the roses have grown into the way of the door, to where it can no longer shut, proving the Door's owner hasn't wanted to shut it in quite some time. The roses are only watered by the salty sea, which would kill most plants but these continue to add beauty to the broken.

•Water: The floor shows the water on the inside still spills onto the floor. Even if the door is shut, and someone walks up to knock, the water remains. This is representative of those who choose to knock despite their own shoes now wet. They brave the storm, the sloshing water, the overspray- because of love.

•Storm: My storms are always indicative of a troubled life, but if you've followed my work for a while, you know I never paint darkness without a strong light source. Hope is always evident.

•Staples: There are tiny, hidden staples holding up the roses because these plants are not vining; while their limbs grow wild and vast, they don't attach to anything on their own. The owner of this house chose to affix them to an otherwise neglected structure, a deliberate action of hope and determination for a better future.

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About

4ft x 3ft | Oil and wax on cradled solid wood panel

Ready to hang with painted sides

Includes insured shipping to anywhere within the continental US. If you plan to pick up or would like local delivery (within 2 hours of Beaufort, SC), please email me before purchase: Hello@KaylaDeVitoFineArt.com.

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Shipping

Please see the aforementioned description of shipment details/local pick up.

This painting will ship in 3-4 weeks (currently still drying then will need to be varnished.)

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Payment Plan

After 48 hours of being listed, available paintings become eligible for an invoice-based payment plan. This payment series is interest-free and is simply the cost of the painting spread out over (up to) 6 payments, spaced a month apart. Managed by Kayla, with no credit check. Please email Hello@KaylaDeVitoFineArt.com to inquire.

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Pricing

Chosen prices are a direct correlation of time spent creating. Some paintings take 10 hours and some take several months of 60+ hours of work plus dry times between layers. The value, rarity and ornateness of each frame (or lack thereof) is also taken into account.

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Prints

Prints will be made of this painting.