Certificate, Birth and Baptismal; (Fractur) c. 1936

This birth and baptismal certificate was made with watercolor on paper, with lettering inside the heart shape, and is attributed to Ruth Thomson who lived from 1855 to 1995. It looks like a garden, doesn't it? Framed in leaves and dotted with flowers. See how the tulips and blossoms push into the heart shape in the middle, like they're trying to get closer to the words. It makes me think about the artist, Thomson, trying to create a safe and beautiful space. The way she's used bright colors and symmetrical designs is lovely. I wonder if the painting was like a prayer for her, a way of marking a special moment in time. It reminds me that making art is not only about skill, but also about feeling and care. Like all the best art, Thomson's piece feels alive, because you can feel her in it. I wonder who made art for her?