Parcel #7 1969

Betty Goodwin made this print, "Parcel #7," using etching, a process that's all about controlled accidents and unpredictable results, kind of like life. The palette is muted, almost monochromatic, dominated by earthy browns, creams, and blacks, with just a tantalizing hint of turquoise. Looking closely, you can see where the acid has bitten into the metal plate, creating this texture. The surface feels almost like weathered skin. My eye keeps going to that little patch of blue. Is it a window? A dream? It's like a secret tucked away within the folds of the package. I think of artists like Cy Twombly, with his layered surfaces and scribbled lines. Both artists remind us that art isn't about perfection, but about the beauty of process and the stories embedded in the materials themselves. It’s really just an ongoing conversation, don't you think?