Have I mentioned how much I love my local bookstore? It is one of my favourite places. I feel the same way about the owner, Alison, who hosts the bookclub I started. Yes, I started a bookclub with several local women close in age: one university professor, two painters, an illustrator/bookstore owner, and me. We have fun! Anyway, at the bookstore, Alison has a “leave a piece of art/take a piece of art” cork board and I find it very exciting (I find so many things exciting LOL).
The other evening when I was there, some small, jewel-like watercolour paintings caught my eye and I pleaded with Alison to allow me to take a gorgeous little tulip painting (I am never dramatic about anything, fyi, lol) with a promise that I would bring something for the board in return. She said sure thing and now I am the proud owner of a treasure. Alison told me that the artist is Fern Donovan. Well done, Fern! I loved the other painting you left there as well, but I have a particular fondness for flower paintings. Love your work and thank you so much for your generosity!
Taking this little painitng home, placing it on my bookshelf and admiring it made me think about another tiny jewel of art I own, made by Ruth Marsh, another artist I admire very much. That piece is a tiny bee drawing. Ruth is good. And they’re weird and I enjoy that too. When I used to use instagram Ruth’s account was one of my favourites. Their sense of humour kills me (I have told them this in person, naturally. lol). I was thinking about framing these two little works and hanging them together.
This thought led to another: When I paint in a representational style I make small paintings too! I also made jewellery for about a decade, and before that when I studied photography, I made tiny prints. I assumed I leaned toward small prints out of necessity at that time - the big photo paper was prohibitively expensive - but maybe it is a part of my aesthetic? I find that thought interesting in relation to my installation practice particularly because installation can be defined as “sculpture in the expanded field.” These kinds of contradictions tickle me. I do view my installations as jewel like, though, and I have made that connection in the past when writing about my work.
PS - Happy birthday bro! Love you! XO