Henri Matisse
We gessoed our own board and canvas and I still am transported by the smell of gesso. One day in particular remains a clear memory. I was 7 and I had a the dreaded blank canvas in front of me and fussed because I did not know what to paint. I had already painted a vase of flowers that I did not like and was bored with the idea. I particularly recall turning my nose up at typical "kid" themes but I was stumped. My grandmother told me to just put down paint and not to worry about it. Huh? Won't that be ugly? I wondered. "Its a mish-mash painting" she said.While the term "mish-mash" does not have a great connotation, it spoke to a 7 year-old me.
It was exhilarating. It was there that I discovered that the painting does not need to be of something to be about something. It is a concept many people struggle with.
Both artists and non-artists try to find literal objects in my work and its frustrating to explain that that there is no witch eating ice cream or dog at a bar in the painting and they need not look for anything else. So that day, mish-mash I did and I still love this one.
In the attic with Mémé circa 1975 by Kerry Burke (Steele)
This painting is the reason I choose to paint mostly abstracts today. The heady memory of art supplies, musty wood and a cherished moment of discovery with a very dear relative are in this canvas.
