Home:

It’s a theme that I keep stumbling upon, and it surprised me again recently.

I was paging through sketchbooks, trying to figure out what I should be painting for a small, upcoming, solo show. And I realized just how many little sketches of houses I’ve popped in my last 3 sketchbooks. I take pictures of houses in my neighborhood when I’m walking and recently captured a bunch more while traveling. I keep returning to these and drawing them in a childish, light-hearted manner. Looking at these little illustrations was like seeing my subconscious hold up a little mirror. I have been thinking about taking more ownership over my concept of “home” recently.

In the end, I am painting other work for the art show in May. But, I am learning to give some of the conceptual ideas behind my work marinate longer. I think this “home” theme, which overlaps with another idea about “place,” will come back over and over again in my lifetime. I want to honor it and give it some focus. So I wrote to you about it all.

Naturally, I wanted to share my first home with you. I am sending you a reproduction of the recent painting, “ Driving in Nebraska.” I grew up in Nebraska, miss it often, and was totally caught off guard by seeing the photograph that became the reference image for this painting on a friend’s instagram. She allowed me to paint my own version of it. I made the piece in a single session, so it has a sketch-like quality. I send it to you with a quirky, retro, Nebraska postcard that and a personal note.

I hope you stay cozy as March shows up and whips some of winter’s last efforts around your homes. Thanks for being in touch and enjoy the mail!

-Liz