In this month’s “Small Works” show, juror Lindsay Harris awarded prizes to three works from the Eleanor Boudreau Jordan Award, with second prize going to Tiny Treats, a watercolor by Alice Kale. Harris praised the painting for the “whimsy and joyfulness” of the subject matter, elevated by the painter’s skill in an unforgiving medium. We asked Kale to tell us more about Tiny Treats and her work in general.
What inspired you to paint this bag of M&Ms? Is this the kind of thing you usually paint?
Alice Kale: The painting began as a demonstration for the watercolor class I have taught for many years at Mt. Vernon Recreation Center in Alexandria. The class project was a holiday card design. My painting of red and green M&Ms was meant to show the class that a holiday design can be something less usual than holly or candles. The crinkly bag appealed to me. I’ve done paintings of plastic bags in the past and am fascinated by the texture.
What draws you to painting? Why do you work in watercolor and oil?
As a child, I had an aunt who was an art teacher. Every Christmas, I received a big box of art supplies, just materials, no coloring books. She gave me a wonderful start. I can’t remember a time I didn’t love to draw or paint. I work in watercolor and oils because I love the feel of the paints. Continue reading Q&A with Award Winner Alice Kale