You may wonder a bit about the disconnect between my last post’s talk of the color that surrounds us outdoors, with these (mostly) black and white drawings that are centered on being indoors.

©2020 Elizabeth Fram, Ink on paper, 11 x 8.5 inches
Considering how beautiful it is here in Vermont, it’s sometimes hard to reconcile the fact that I’m just not that interested in drawing or painting landscapes.

©2020 Elizabeth Fram, Ink on paper, 11 x 8.5 inches
Instead, I find it much more satisfying to work with smaller worlds that tell a story about the variety of activities that compete for my time and attention, weaving together a fuller picture of the reality of my day-to-day life.

©2020 Elizabeth Fram, Ink on paper, 11 x 8.5 inches
As I’m mapping out these sketches, I often think of Mel Stabin’s advice in his book Watercolor: Simple, Fast, and Focused where he urges one to always think in terms of shape and value.
These drawings aren’t just an opportunity to concentrate on those elements, they’re also a source of endless opportunities for working with composition. And, to a degree, approaching them as abstractions lends greater depth to the learning process.

©2020 Elizabeth Fram, Ink on paper, 11 x 8.5 inches
Truth be told, I like to think of them as landscapes, but of a different stripe.

©2020 Elizabeth Fram, Ink on paper, 11 x 8.5 inches
I get a lot of joy from drawing food grown in my garden and the tools I use almost every day (many of which have been passed down from my mother and grandmother) to create the meals that sustain us.

©2020 Elizabeth Fram, Watercolor on paper, 12 x 9 inches
As such, these 2-D microcosms tell a much bigger story than one might guess, offering a lot of mileage for relatively little input.
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I recently discovered “Arnold’s Attic” on YouTube, a bevy of textile-related videos that include artist interviews (India Flint, Marian Jazmik, & Dionne Swift, to name just a few) as well as tours of assorted textile exhibitions (embroidery, quilting, knitting), and some how-to’s. Quite a find!
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And finally, a selfie two-fer this week! Many thanks to Leslie & Micah. Don’t miss Leslie’s fabulous work and Artist Interview with Studio Place Arts.

Leslie & Micah, ©2020 Elizabeth Fram, Ink and colored pencil on paper, 8.5 x 11 inches
So true! Love the “small landscapes” of our kitchen, even with the glorious views of the mountains out the windows. I’m often accused of similar when I am caught photographing small stones while in big mountains. Your kitchen sketches are treasures. Thanks also to the nod to Leslie’s work, which is just a delight. All the best!
We are birds of a feather, getting lost in the beauty of details. Really appreciate that connection! It’s always a lift to hear your perspective.