‘The Sense of Beauty’
During ArtMix I did not have a chance to see the Crocker’s exhibit featuring paintings from Museo de Arte de Ponce, so I made a trip to experience the installation on a quiet morning. The selection was beautiful and brought a sense of connection to the island by having its collection here in Sacramento. I applaud the work of the Crocker for coordinating this touching exhibit, and I’m glad I was able to make it after our event.
One of the pieces displayed was ‘Flaming June’ by Lord Leighton Frederic. Now, I have some history with this painting. My first job was at a picture frame gallery in a mall. I actually enjoyed it quite a bit, and I learned so much about art conversation techniques that I still use in my practice today. The gallery sold print preproductions, and Flaming June was always on display, framed with an orange suede matte and an ornate gold frame, or displayed without matte or glass covered in acrylic gel medium applied with intentional brush strokes to simulate a painting. Of course, I applied the gel medium for all of the orders that requested it, and Flaming June was often ‘brushstroked’ before framing. I spent hours upon hours adding texture to prints of this painting, and now I finally can see the real painting.
It is far more beautiful in person. High Quality print reproductions can not completely translate the quality of light of the painting. It glows in a way that is serene and angelic. The light balance of the yellow and golds at the center are mesmerizing. Also, the frame it sleeps inside of was a piece of art itself. Rather than a decorative trim, the frame becomes a portal into the painting itself.
I spent quite a while studying the painting, taking it in. Thinking about a 15 year old kid, looking at the same image from so far away.
