What’s In A Title: A Lot. Or Nothing…

What’s In a title? A lot. Or nothing.


Many artists will not or do not like to share a title for their art. The arts personal meaning is very personal and causes an internal struggle with revealing too much in personal experiences or emotions. Another reason we do not like to title work, is the immediate influence it has on the person listening/viewing and their understanding of the work becomes immediately skewed.

Quite simply-Once a title is visible it begins to guide or sway our thoughts. Effectively minimizing the possibilities of interpretations. The “ideal” being to let these thought processes occur naturally and uninfluenced.


The Art: I’ve been fascinated by crows for a long time, so naturally I was attracted to this album cover art from the 90s. And, I am a big fan of The Black Crows hit song She Talks to Angels. Like me, the song resonates with a lot of people. Most seem to believe that the song lyrics are referring to addiction. It quite possibly is that. But for me personally, it about mental health, loss, and coping.

She Talks To Angels-inspired by the black crows greatest hits 1990-1999 album cover art by Valerie Dowdy Art; 8×10; 2010

I sold this art a long time ago. (I’ve recently been revisiting my art images and came across this one) I am considering recreating this artwork in my digital drawing program with maybe a few tweaks. Should I?


Below are the link and lyrics of the song I am discussing. If you are not familiar with song have a listen. Let me know your thoughts.

She never mentions the word "addiction"
In certain company
Yeah, she'll tell you she's an orphan
After you meet her family
She paints her eyes as black as night now
She pulls her shades down tight
Girl, give a smile when the pain come
Pain, the only thing don't make it alright
Says she talks to angels
Said they call her out by her name
Oh well, she talks to angels
And they call her out by her name, ooh yeah
She keeps a lock of hair in her pocket
She wears a cross around her neck
They say that the hair was from a little boy
The cross from someone she had not met
No, not yet
Says she talks to the angels
And they call her out by her name
Well, she talks to angels
And they call her out by her name
She don't know no lover
None that I've ever seen
To her that don't mean nothin'
But to me, it means
Means everything
Means everything

Until next we meet~Valerie