Wild Rose 1927

Pamela Bianco made this lovely etching, called *Wild Rose*, in the early part of the 20th century. The mark making here is wonderful, it is very considered, each dot and line feels so deliberate! You can tell that Bianco was thinking about process as she worked. The stippled texture of the leaves, and the soft shading on the tablecloth, create such a tactile surface. And the way the light plays across the glass vase makes it feel almost transparent. Look at how she’s built up the darker tones in the center of the flowers, it’s almost as if she’s sculpting the image with light and shadow. It’s funny, this is like a still life, but the overall effect is somehow animated and energetic. The botanical forms here remind me a little of the work of Georgia O’Keefe, though the graphic approach is completely different. Ultimately, this is a piece that invites you to slow down, look closely, and appreciate the beauty of the everyday.