The Miscellany Series is a collection of small paintings I created during September and October of 2020. A "miscellany" describes a random collection of differing objects, various bits and bobs, none exactly like another.
I had the idea for the series when I recognized how much I enjoy painting the intricate details into still life scenes, like the chinoiserie on antique dinnerware or a label on a vintage tea tin. The paintings in this new series exist as "deconstructed" versions of the large still lives I typically paint, which are usually heavily populated with curiosities and colors, no corner inconspicuous. I realized the small, peculiar objects within those grander scenes could actually shine beautifully on their own if I isolated them into stand-alone portraits.
Each Miscellany painting delicately illustrates one singular object juxtaposed against a spartan, monochromatic backdrop. The pint-sized works showcase quaint, familiar items: a box of matches, a piece of birthday cake, an old family recipe card. The paintings assemble a sort of motley menagerie of quirky objects and dishes we use and love.
