Billethead c. 1939

Marian Page made this Billethead sometime in the 20th century, and what strikes me is the interplay between meticulous observation and creative interpretation. Looking at the sharp contrasts and defined edges, I imagine Page carefully studying the object, trying to capture every nuance of its form, and yet the bold application of paint feels really confident. What was she thinking as she swirled the gold paint to conjure the curves? There is something really pleasing about the way the deep blacks contrast against those flashes of gold; she must have been fascinated by the material qualities of the paint, thick in some areas, thin in others. It's like she’s almost dancing with the brush! It's really through painting that she creates a record of seeing, feeling, and thinking, and what is left is her legacy. I think of other artists like Fairfield Porter who are also drawn to intimate depictions of the everyday. It’s like we are all talking to each other.