Art Book Review

Who Takes a Feather

By Amy Schroeder
Published: November 17th, 2003 | 9:28am

(Published by Map Press, List Price: $20)

I've always wanted to know what’s going on in Tara Jane O'Neil’s noggin.

As a solo artist and member of a number of bands including Rodan, Sonora Pine, Retsin, and the King Cobra, O’Neil’s music is complex in a simple way, confusing at times, and always interesting. The multi-talented artist (in addition to music, she contributes illustrations for books and CD covers) creates a mysterious perplexity with just about everything she does.

When I got her art book, I thought, hellz yes, I'm going to crack TJO's code. Who Takes a Feather is a collection of O’Neil’s paintings, drawings, and notebook writings, from 1994–2003, and although the book gives the reader a beautiful assortment of visual art and another opportunity to dig into her psyche, I still haven’t figured out TJO. But then again, some of the best things in life aren’t meant to be understood completely.

Her paintings — which use either dark colors or warm tones — are the most stunning elements of the book and deal with topics including freedom, pain, self-reflection, and lesbian love. "A Good Parting" is a captivating image of a woman holding her crotch. Below the image, O’Neil writes, "We split our skins apart / Part the Clever / Part the look / Part the murder / … And I thought it would / Part good / A good parting where they meet."

TJO also includes a couple of snapshots of herself and her work space — and I love seeing people’s work spaces. You can tell so much about a person just from seeing where their creations germinate. "Inside NYC 1999" is a black-and-white photograph of her desk, which is cluttered with papers and photos, an old-school typewriter, and a booze-bottle lamp. On the wall above are various drawings (love the hammer and the buffalo) and a shelf holding up some paint thinner, paint brushes, and other junk-n-supplies. Next to the desk is her guitar. It looks like a small NYC room in a small apartment, but judging from the fact that O’Neil jumps ship from Louisville, New York, and the Pacific Northwest, she doesn’t need a whole lot of space — nor a permanent address — to create her work.

TJO’s code is yet to be cracked, and I don’t mind.

Who Takes a Feather is available online at tarajaneoneil.com, insound.com, and lastgasp.com.