Sweet Change

The title “Sweet Change” sums up all kinds of happenings recently. I’ll cover change here in this painting, in my own studio, in the region and in the news. But first, I need to describe the painting in this 2020 series.

Favorite Things

At the end of last year, an accomplished artist friend suggested I consider painting small paintings each week. She also said to write a blog post with each painting. As I thought about this idea, I was really nervous about making this kind of commitment. Why? I’m a relatively new painter. And, although I have blogged in the past, I was wary about over committing and under delivering. I made the decision to pursue this idea and in early January 2020 posted my first painting in this “Favorite Things” series.

Blink

Just blink and here we are six months later! I am surprised to have posted something every week since early January 2020. I have learned so much but mostly I have been grateful to practice my ‘craft’ regularly. Why? Well, I can share so many reasons but here are a few. First, I ‘ran away’ to art school six years ago. And, spent a significant amount of time studying oil painting. I love what I learned there, the people I met and the hard earned skills I have developed.

But I have also learned that the learning is never ending. What is that expression? The more I know the more I know I don’t know. And, so the allure to study and learn and practice continues.

Scary

So I guess I need to share why I decided to call this painting “Sweet Change.” Particularly since a member of this household (no not this one or this one) thought the subject matter looked kind of scary. Why? Well, those purple sprouts growing off of the sweet potatoes are kind of scary looking, aren’t they?

And that is one of the reasons I had to name this painting “Sweet Change.” First, these delicious vegetables, like everything else, are always changing. And, North Carolina is one of the biggest producers of this super nutritious vegetable.

When they are in the heat for too long, they start to send out these luscious purple sprouts. And, darn, I pitched these sweet potatoes in the compost after I finished painting them. Little did I know that, according to this article, I could have savored those purple sprouts. And, I probably could have made my favorite and beloved sweet potato fries too. Ah well, seems the learning is continuing beyond the studio, don’t ya know??

Change

But why change? Well, I don’t know about you but after the events of the last 10 days including the murder of George Floyd, change is in order. And, just as we can see the growth of the purple sprouts on these sweet potatoes, we need to start to see a few glimmers of change. Why? Black lives matter!

If you read and look closely, you will see some change. Like what? Some changes are insincere. And – honestly – I don’t understand why this has taken so long. What am I talking about? Band Aids. As a kid, decades ago, I couldn’t understand why Band Aids only came in that pukey pink color. And, the clear version still had the pukey pink covered gauze in the middle. So, hey there Band Aids, imagine if the rainbow of colors you offered today had been available 100 years ago. Just imagine the little kids who wouldn’t have to think the way this guy did as a youngster.

Another change? Two days ago the statue of Josephus Daniels, founder of the Raleigh News and Observer and white supremacist, was removed. He did leave a legacy of helping the poor and promoting public education. I can only imagine how much stronger NC would be today, if he had promoted equal treatment of all people including black lives.

Here’s a change this week too: Daniels Middle School (of the same Daniels noted above) has been changed to Oberlin Middle School. This references a thriving community of freedmen in the mid-1860s. You can read more details about James E Harris, Oberlin Village and its legacy here.

NC Judicial Change

Here’s one more change that absolutely blows my mind. NC Policy Watch just shared an article about the Racial Justice Act. In that article, attorney James Ferguson II, writes “Two weeks ago, amid…protests, our State Supreme Court issued a momentous decision requiring us to take an honest look at racism and the death penalty.”

He continues “In its decision, the court declined to ignore evidence that Black people have been systematically denied the right to serve on capital juries.” You can read the entire article here. It corroborates the insidiousness of racism in our justice system. Here’s hoping this latest ruling will start to lead to the changes that will lift barriers to justice for black lives today.

Studio change

Onward now to the studio news! As amazing as my studio (converted 1 car garage) is, I am starting to make some tweaks to make it even more appealing. The latest change is simple! I wrote that I was really struggling with the studio light during mid-day in this post. I considered several options.

First, I imagined having the same window and shade system that Norman Rockwell has in his studio at the Norman Rockwell Museum in MA. Cue up Led Zeppelin singing “Dream On” LIVE!

Then one day a week or so ago, I walked in and put on my sunglasses and…saw all the rafters. Seriously! I hopped on the ladder, had 4 clamps on hand. And, voila! I still get enough light to manage the light and shadow of the still life set up. But I am not being blinded by the sunlight streaming onto my palette or the floor behind my easel. Hooray!

Here’s what this simple solution looks like:

Subscribe and For Sale

So here’s to you for reading this long post! I am grateful to you for letting me share thoughts on change in something as simple as a sweet potato as well as something as important as human beings who happen to be black lives and my cheap and cheerful studio light solution. If you are interested in seeing my latest paintings each week, please subscribe here. If you are interested in buying this painting, it is for sale for $375. You can see more information about the painting including a larger image of it and a link to purchase here. Please share your thoughts on this post in the comments below. Thank you!