Watching People Work
For painting material
I recently hired some people to do a job that I was not set up to do. Normally, when that happens, I work alongside the people I hire here at the farm. I will not ask anybody to do a job I am unwilling to do.
On this particular occasion, I was at their job site and did not have the equipment or the skills to do what I hired them for. No, I am not going to tell you the job out of respect for some of my patrons.
I asked these people if I could observe them working, and they granted my wish.
When they were almost finished, one of them asked me something like, “Are you wanting to learn how to do this?”
I responded, “No, I am just watching you work.”
I immediately regretted those words, thinking I sounded like some kind of overseer.
I could have tried to explain, but the moment had passed. Likely, they took no offense.
As a working person and a person who has labored for workers’ rights all of my adult life, I still regret those words.
A Tribute to Workers
Here are a few of my many paintings where I strive to honor working people, people without whom our society would collapse.
We can do without Wall Street speculators, bankers, tech bros, and many others.
I salute workers of the world.
I have intentionally not included any pieces of the work of mothering, which is a whole other level of labor.
Thank you to all of the workers in the world, and thank you.
Labor creates all wealth.
As always, an interesting column.