Maybe I decided to use this image because it was -8° when I headed out for my stroll through the woods to the studio. Well, not really a stroll. More like a hard determined march, trying to cut through the sharp cold as quickly as possible. But as I glimpsed at the still dark sky, Venus was shining brightly just above the treeline, so much so that it caused me stop and just wonder at its brilliance. To my eye it had a reddish glint that made it seem like some exotic little gem in the sky. Beautiful enough to stop me in my frozen tracks.
This brought to mind the upcoming Little Gems show at the West End Gallery in Corning that opens next Friday, February 7th. I am currently prepping a group of paintings for this exhibit of small work which is always one of my favorite shows of my painting year and one that always brings back good memories. As I have noted here in the past, the Little Gems show in 1995 was the first opportunity I had to show my work in public.
A first step on a then unknown path.
This will be my twentieth Little Gems show, something which would have seemed unfathomable back at that first show. I don’t paint as many small pieces in recent years, spending more time on larger work, so this is always a great time to revisit the small form. There is something wonderful in seeing the colors and forms compressed into a smaller space, something that brings out the gem-like quality in each. Each element, each mark takes on greater weight in the smaller form. There’s a different type of concentration, one that is quicker in its self-editing and one that is definitely more intuitive. The sizes are such that everything just happens quicker and there is less time to ponder.
And that is often a good thing. I’ve often said that I’m not smart enough to paint when I have to think about it. Maybe these small pieces are proof of this.
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This piece is called Steps to Solitude and is a compact 3″ by 6″ painting on paper. It will be at the West End by the end of this week along with several other small pieces.
Redtree Times 
Hi.
I have a few of your pieces that were purchased when we lived in Corning–OHHH how I miss it. I am living in Houston but will do my best to acquire another piece…. I do love the small ones….and love this one too.
Zita
Good to hear from you and thank you for the kind words, Zita. Hope everything is going well for you in Texas.
Gary. I called West End to get price on “Steps to Solitude” and The Song We Carry. They were going to check. I would love to have “steps” as it’s next to impossible to get your “little masterpieces”. Someday I will own one of your large “red houses”. But for now I get what I can. If you have prices on these, please let me know. I am in Houston so probably cannot make your upcoming “little gem” but who knows?? Maybe pigs will fly…LOL. Much Thanks Zita
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What a wonderful image! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Moira.
This spoke to me as strongly as the snow painting you showed not long ago. It’s just wonderful, even on a computer screen. Thanks for sharing it.
As always, thanks so much for the feedback, Linda.