The current preferences in the art world are for large paintings that fill the wall behind a couch, in bold, electric colours. This has to do with trends in modern architecture as well, with massive floor to ceiling windows in the "Great Room", used for entertaining.
When someone asks why my paintings are small, the first answer I give is that they are the perfect size to fit on a desk or in a tiny nook on a shelf. There are other reasons as well; I paint "alla prima", which is all in one go, so a smaller canvas can be worked quickly, using less paint and other supplies. It's also a must for painting plein air, so the scene can be captured quickly as the sunlight is always changing. "Smalls" are also less expensive to package and ship.
It's ironic, but my "Smalls" have been given lots of unexpected attention over the years. They've been placed on the Visitor's book signing table at various galleries, so my work was viewed even before the guests entered the actual exhibit.
At one show, my little 5" x 7" painting was placed on a table next to the feature sculpture which was the centrepiece of the huge timber framed room. The metal sculpture was over seven feet tall, gleaming under the ceiling lights in brightly polished silver. The placement of my work in that show garnered the attention of the judges as well as the public. I was honoured to receive a prize, and the painting sold on the first day of the show.
Having my work in galleries is exciting, reading the comments thrilling, but I am deeply humbled when my little paintings are considered treasures. Only recently a young man off to University included one of my paintings in the few items he packed to take with him. (You'll never know what that means to me, Harrison!)
In 2022, during Hurricane Fiona, while the wind whipped the trees and terrorized Nova Scotians, my dear friends sat in candlelight with neighbours, sharing food and comfort. One of my paintings kept company with them. (If you've read my blog from June of 2022, "Paying Attention", that's when I introduced you to the poetry of Deborah Banks. She and her partner Sandy kept the door open to one and all during that frightening time).
In this age of clicks and thumbs up or down, algorithms making one feel worthy or worthLESS, it's important to take a step back and see one's work touch people directly. If my "Smalls" can bring comfort in a storm, or be considered a treasure by a young man about to conquer University, those are the best reasons to pick up a brush and create gentle landscapes to invoke peaceful daydreams.
Thank you for spending this time with me,
Lori xx