Albina, borden schilderen, 27 december 1976 Possibly 1976

This photograph, Albina, borden schilderen, was taken by Cary Markerink on December 27th, 1976. It looks as though there are two artists here in the picture! I love that Markerink has captured the moment someone is bent down painting a sign—or, in fact, maybe two people! The way their arms are bent and focused reminds me of my own concentration in the studio. You know, the feel of the brush in your hand, the smell of the paint, the way your arm moves from the shoulder. And it's the materiality of the paint that is so important—it is central to this action—without it, there would be no sign and no message. And what about the message? I can't read Dutch, but it must be an important message. Markerink has documented the painting of the sign and, in turn, he too is part of the same conversation—an ongoing creative exchange. It all makes me want to get back to the studio!