Mirror c. 1937

This "Mirror" was made by Wellington Blewett, who lived a long life between 1855 and 1995. Look at that bird sitting at the very top, like a cherry on top of a sundae! It's fun to imagine how this was made, with each detail carefully placed, swirling and turning to build the whole form. I can almost feel Blewett working on this, thinking about how each shape and line would fit together, patiently building up a rich and complex design. It reminds me of making my own paintings, putting shapes together, taking them apart, finding new ways to make them work together. It is so physical and meditative. Look at the wood finish around the edge, it has these gorgeous curves that feel so alive! It reminds me that we’re all in this ongoing conversation, artists across time, learning from each other, playing with shapes and ideas, and seeing what we can create together. Painting, like any other form of expression, is all about embracing the unknown, finding meaning in the ambiguity, and letting the work speak for itself.