5 Lessons
I’m a big fan of Canadian artist Harry Stooshinoff’s artwork and writing. He’s a former teacher which comes out in his Substack posts, but in a good way. He never fails to leave me with something new to think about.
One of my favorite perennials is this Diphylleia cymosa (Umbrella Leaf). Its big beautiful leaves reappear from nothing every spring and then it sports these lovely little white flowers in June. As summer wears on, the flowers morph into blue berries and their stems turn bright red. I always look forward to the transition, not least because the berries are a striking addition to any bouquet.
It may seem a bit counterintuitive considering it’s the height of summer, but I got caught up the other day reading a newsletter Stooshinoff wrote early last December about painting snowy landscapes. Nevermind the season and subject, there was much to connect with and a handful of lessons that, intentionally or not, rose to the surface.
First a quick sketch. I was just as interested in the shadow as in the berries themselves..
I’ll paraphrase what struck me as key:
Complexity isn’t necessary for visual or emotional weight. One can convey an extraordinary amount of information with seemingly few elements.
Develop a love of light and dark contrast or, if you choose to allow color to drive your ship, a thoughtful and tempered hand can speak just as strongly - and at times more coherently - as an exuberant one.
‘Tempus fugit’ for us all, but keep in mind that “a painting stops time, and if it’s done well it holds the freshness of experience and existence”. This is one of Art’s superpowers. Aim to nail down the ephemeral aspect of a subject that attracted you in the first place.
Be willing to shake things up rather than relaxing into your usual approach on repeat. Experimentation leads to discovery.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly: Work daily and don’t fuss with it. Just do the work and let it be. It may speak to you in ways you can’t predict some day in the future.
Blue Berries with Red Stems 2026 ©Elizabeth Fram, Gouache and stitching on paper, 9.5 × 7 inches
I couldn’t help but keep these things in mind as I worked on this new piece. There is always so much to think about, but aren’t we lucky that those whose work we admire are willing to share their wisdom?
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Good news! I’ve checked off one of my bigger summer projects and have transfered my website from one host to another. Actually, it was a bit of an overhaul as well, with a lot of new work added. Please check it out - it remains at the same domain: elizabethfram.com. Already the process has simplified my life enormously and I’m looking forward to spending less time in the tech weeds!
