I got a commission recently to paint some text (in a word balloon) on a nifty thrift store painting,
36 x 24,” text and design by the patron. The original painting, by B. Milavsky, is a portrait of a woman in a blue dress. It is unclear to me as to who the woman is or what her relationship was to the artist; the piece is not dated. But she kind of reminds me of the actress Amy Adams… maybe it’s her doppelganger(?)
The text for the piece is by the poet Emily Dickinson. The full quote reads, “If your Nerve, deny you - Go above your Nerve - He can lean against the Grave, If he fear to swerve - That’s a steady posture - Never any bend - Held of those Brass arms -” This line is from her poem #292, which explores the theme of perseverance and overcoming limitations by looking beyond one’s immediate fears and doubts.
Thank you for the assignment… and thank you, B. Milavsky, for unknowingly collaborating!
I painted a word balloon with text on the painting - text and design by the collector.
”If your Nerve, deny you - Go above your Nerve - - Emily Dickinson”
Detail of the text I painted on the painting
Detail of the signatures, located on the bottom left - B. Milavsky + Seamus Liam O’Brien 2025"
Actress Amy Adams
Emily Dickinson