Caught in inconsistency

Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote 

That a foolish consistency was the hobgoblin 

Of small minds, a phrase I’ve always thought 

Was useful, and had merit — 

 Both as an encouragement to openness 

And as a rationale when caught in inconsistency, 

And so I use it here, to justify 

This abstract artist’s random descent 

 Into the representational: 

I know it’s out of character 

(For subject, if not for color) 

But the truth is, it makes me smile, 

And these days that’s a very special blessing.