I Want To Be Jerry Pinkney

The composition presents a child engaged in flying a kite, set against a backdrop that blends abstraction and suggestion. The dominant visual element is the kite itself, rendered as a large, square form divided into quadrants of vibrant yellow, purple, and red hues. These colors are applied with visible brushstrokes, imparting a sense of dynamism and movement to the object. A lighter yellow area at the top suggests illumination or perhaps an attempt to capture the translucence of fabric catching sunlight.
Below the kite, a figure – presumably the child – is depicted in profile, facing upwards towards the airborne form. The individual is clad in denim overalls and appears small in scale relative to the kite, emphasizing a sense of aspiration and reaching. A thin string connects the child to the kite, visually anchoring the scene and establishing the act of flight as dependent on human agency.
The ground plane is delineated by a band of green, which abruptly transitions into an area of abstract shapes – primarily red curves and lines. These forms seem less grounded than the figure or the kite, contributing to the overall feeling of unreality or dreamlike quality. The background wall is treated with a pattern of irregular squares in muted tones, creating a sense of depth while maintaining a degree of visual ambiguity.
Subtextually, the painting seems to explore themes of childhood, ambition, and connection. The kite can be interpreted as a symbol of dreams, hopes, or aspirations – something desired but requiring effort to attain. The child’s upward gaze suggests longing and determination. The string represents the fragile link between desire and realization; it is essential for flight yet also imposes constraint. The abstract shapes at the base could symbolize the complexities and uncertainties that lie beneath the surface of simple experiences. Overall, the work conveys a sense of quiet contemplation on the nature of striving and the delicate balance between freedom and responsibility.