Details

What do you see in the picture above?  Look at it carefully…

As the summer progresses, and given many unexpected developments, preparation for the upcoming 2013 Haleiwa Arts Festival is getting more hectic.  But I have to say that I am still very excited. New prints are in the works as well as a bunch of other logistical things. And although it sometimes feels like I never have enough time in a day, things are falling into place.

Details in Lisa Ventura art

The above picture shows one of my latest original works. This piece, Trucks Rusting at Koloa Mill, is painted on one of the masonite frames that my husband and brother in-law have (very supportively) made for me. One of the cool things about the originals I’ll have on display and for purchase is that the “edges” of the works include details that their 2D reproductions won’t. For example, edges of the original Rusting Trucks painting includes sections of broken fence, and the number of the plantation truck. Most canvas frame prints repeat or mirror the edges of an image whereas the field of view continues in these originals. I’m tickled by these little details.

In an older drawing I did of my dad’s sisters and mother, I included another detail that I was surprised people noticed. I drew in, sticking out of the side of the porch they were all sitting on, a piece of metal. Many older plantation homes had this piece of metal attached to the porch or side of the house for scraping mud off of the bottom of work boots. In my graphite drawing it appeared as a grayish rectangle-y thing. I was so pleased that when it went on display for a competition I had entered, many local people recognized what it was! It was like those of us who knew about that little gray shape were a part of a special club.

That weird gray shape was a reminder of how hard my grandparents worked, and for others, summers picking pineapple, scrubbing sidewalk or other weekend chores, some relative’s home…

It’s so important to step back and view things as part of a bigger picture. But sometimes, we have to narrow in on small details to appreciate that big picture. Looking forward to hearing about the things you notice. Welcome to the club.