Small does not mean diminshed intrigue or impact. A good small painting reads big. I remember that in the Denver Art Museum that you could see the Georgia O’Keefe small painting from across a vast room, before we could even identify it as hers. It just shone. I’ve been working on larger pieces for a while now. It’s an interesting lesson: large is NOT small scaled up somehow. The dimension changes meaning. This one will be on display this Saturday.
Confession: the very small works are often traces of projects that lead to larger works for me. My own sense of detail is not robust; I prefer the BIG. Even my handwriting is large and scrawling. I like to work small on paper– it feels more open and free. But sometimes I do “smaller” canvases: 10″ x 10″ is one of the smallest. I like mixed media on smaller canvases to make more of an impact. Everything is small-ized now. Just think of your Iphone and Ipad.
Small can be very expressive. I did the piece above when my dad was diagnosed with cancer. I wanted to make a response that expressed sacrifice and rebirth as his living spirit started to transition. The Little Sun Cow below was just pure play and joy. We all have our art totems. Cosmic and regular cows are mine.
One artist who has a great sense of the small is Susan Cornelis. You can see her latest cool “fossil” smalls here. Come visit me this Saturday, or, better yet, start your own small series. Small can lead to big things. Surprise yourself!
Saltworkstudio | Suzanne Edminster 
Sounds like a marvelous show this weekend. Loved your blog and photos about it, Suzanne. We would be there on Saturday if we weren’t already committed to be in Milwaukee that weekend to help Jim’s mom celebrate her 90th birthday with family coming from all over the country. We WILL come visit you in SOFA sometime in February though. It’s a promise I’m making to myself! miss you….
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I’ll look forward to it, Sandra. I know that life demands have been heavy. We’ll have a chance to catch up soon.
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Have a good, safe trip, Sandra!
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If we weren’t already committed to be in Milwaukee this weekend helping Jim’s mom celebrate her 90th birthday, Suzanne, we’d be there enjoying your small works show and your delightful company. In any case, I am making a priority of visiting you in your new space before the end of February. Miss you!
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I miss you— I still have your magic absinthe flask waiting for that perfect moment!
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I, too, love this blog, and these little pieces, as well – don’t know which one I like best! Funny that I am working on a bunch of small pieces, too, and will continue for a few weeks. Hoping something special will come out of it!
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Thanks, Karen. I recall some of your “smalls” with themes of girls’ dresses like the kind we used to have to wear as kids. Nice work.
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