One's Devotion

The Morgan Library has a fascinating illuminated manuscript show up right now, Demons and Devotion. It features the work of Catherine of Cleves, who created the manuscript in 1440 in the Netherlands. I simply have to get to this show.

First, I love the combination of text and image-- it lends itself to a surreal narrative. Secondly, in order to catch all the details of the illuminated manusripts, viewers are forced to get close to the image, creating an intimacy that large artwork lacks. And how can you not love the fact that this is a female whose devotion to art and God led her to create these fascinating images? It reminds me of Hildegard Von Bingen, a woman whose talent was recognized even in the 12 century. Writer, musician, artist, Bingen combined her visions of God with her passion to create. If you haven't heard her ethereal chants, you should.

These women fought the conventions of their times to express themselves, so on a Sunday morning in Lent, it seems only fitting that my own devotion leads me to some studio time of my own.

Rebirth

Cherie at Ripe Art Gallery called for submissions to a Valentine's group show. Romantic, my work is not. True, I did paint the House of Love, a earthy dome with roots, but for this show, I was stumped. Two houses together? Cheesy. An object like a lock? Meh.

Focused all day on the destructive forces of nature, I stopped to look at these fantastic 19th C. German biology textbook images of fish and winged insects which James and I bought in the French Quarter in New Orleans many years back, and which now hang in our bedroom. I was calmed immediately. It reminded me of the beauty of life, the persistance of nature's renewal. It gave me home to look at these drawings, so I thought I'd share them. Englarge them to see the fine detail in the pen and ink. In looking at them, I knew I had to incorporate them into my image of love.

Alphahouses

Some years ago I became enamored with illuminated manuscripts and their use of image and text. Initial capitals were always so fanciful, often telling a story of their own, that I decided to create my own alphabet which incorporated my love of architecture. I liked to imagine of each letter welcoming you to his or her house, and even wrote a rhyming text to accompany the images. After assembling the letters and having posters printed, which I gave to anyone who was mildly interested, people began to request hand painted letters for their children and grandchildren. Thinking that my work would be a child's first art acquisition truly amuses me. People sometimes undervalue art, music and literature geared toward children, but it is a mistake not to enrich their environment and their childhood experiences with the arts. Author Joan Aiken, who wrote the incredibly helpful book The Way to Write for Children, said that books written for children are incredibly important and influential. Because young readers have read so few books, the author's responsibility to foster a love of reading is great. I think that holds true for all the arts. Remember the books which made you an avid reader, or the music that captured your imagination? I'm sure you do.

Illuminated Signs

I've always loved illuminated manuscripts. Some of my favorite exhibitions center around these small and intricate works. I remember the Metropolitan Museum of Art where I've seen two shows that required close inspection. The Illuminated Manuscript show was mostly Fra Angelico's pieces, whose frescoes are in every monk's cell at San Marco in Florence, and have a simplicity that is restrained and elegant. At that show, it was lovely to see the nuns in their habits shoulder to shoulder with modern day artsy folk. What intrigued me was the combination of the painted image and the text. I then decided to make my alphahouses-- each house welcoming us into his abode. Then I attended the Indian manuscript show, with works created for the kind from the 18th century. Hanging next to the artwork were magnifying glasses, allowing viewers to see the amazing miniature details barely visible to the naked eye. Soon after viewing the show, I bought one-hair brushes and a jeweler's magnifying lamp.

Through the years I've done individual letters for children; however these two images are for two local businesses that I'd like to see thrive. Salon Eden gave me obvious biblical illusions to play with, but it was Verace, an Italian restaurant seeking to express the truth in ingredients, that really tickled my imagination.