Cued by the trees, which seem to be changing color by the hour, I’ve been taking time to just soak in and enjoy the sights around me this season. Below are a few of the things that have caught my eye in the past couple of weeks.
Art at the Kent – “Holding”
There are so many wonderful artworks in this show! These shots barely skim the surface of the 22 artists exhibiting, or their work. I will be back again (and again) in an effort to capture more before the exhibit closes on October 12. I hope you can make it at least once.
Soapstone Guy with Bristles ©2021 Olaf Saab, Soapstone, paintbrush bristles
Usually I am careful to document the labels which fully identify works that I am photographing. I was so excited moving through the exhibit that I forgot myself and, other than the piece above, can only provide the name of each artist for the works below. This show is that good. However, I’ve linked to each artist’s web presence, if available.
James Patterson
The preserved patina of ancient paint, wallpaper and exposed lath within the Kent Museum building all work in concert with the art on display. Below are a few examples of my pieces in the show. It makes my heart sing to see the thoughtful way they are presented in conversation with their surroundings and others’ work.
Taking Pause, ©2014 Elizabeth Fram, Paint, stitched-resist dye and embroidery on silk, 21″H x 33″W
Pick Me Up © 2017 Elizabeth Fram, Stitched-resist dye and embroidery on silk, 12″H x 16″W The curation of “Holding” is exquisite. For instance, consider the exchange between my stitched cup and Stephen Proctor’s clay vessel outside.
Dawn Patrol ©2012 Elizabeth Fram, Paint, stitched-resist dye and embroidery on silk, 34″H x 15″W The colors of this piece echo the landscape through the window.
Ulysses’ Wave ©2014 Elizabeth Fram, Stitched-resist dye, paint and embroidery on silk, 19″H x 38″W This piece, a visual narrative of the gradual, then sudden changes I saw in my mother as she struggled with the beginnings of dementia, reflects both the exuberance and the memento mori quality of the lush floral arrangement sitting to its right.
Québec City
The following on-the-fly shots in Québec weren’t necessarily inspirational and have no particular redeeming quality other than they made me smile. I think we could all use a bit more levity these days, don’t you?
The last in a lineup of cannons that are part of the Fortifications of Québec and which highlight this area’s past military function as a defensive battery, the irony of this vase tipped on its side with hands offering flowers and wheat from its opening is delightful. Zoom in to see that the treads of the tires are leaving tracks of roses. Having neglected to find any info near this sculpture, I searched the internet but came up empty regarding the artist. However, I did discover that In 1617, the first French family to settle in the colony — Louis Hébert, his wife Marie Rollet, and their three children established their farm on this site atop Cap Diamant which is today Montmorency Park. They grew cereal crops, vegetables and different medicinal plants.
✷
One more thing that’s making me happy: I’m rereading Stephen King’s On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. Per his suggestion, I edited out any adverbs that had snuck into this post 😊. Ha! I haven’t gotten to the part where he’s horrified by emojis.
Regardless of what your creative practice may be – or if you even have one – you will enjoy this book. Not to worry – it isn’t remotely scary.
Great post, Betsy!
Love your work at the Kent.
Where’s the slatted window? Good shot.
Thanks, Dian! The window was in our hotel room. A nice change from the usual rectangle with drapery, n’est pas?
Great pieces, Ms. Fram. Really drawn to the liminal space created around the cup in Pick Me Up. The piece crackles with energy.
Ooh Kate! – crackling – great word and honored by the compliment!