"Featuring local and regional artists affiliated with the gallery, ‘Eat It Up’ is a multi-media, group show that showcases a select group of miniature works that will have an effect much like the cake that Alice eats in Wonderland. Feeling enormous by comparison, the viewer will be forced to take time to get up close and personal with the work, to discover and appreciate all it has to offer. The exhibition reinforces that small is powerful, presenting an allegory of our beloved New Brunswick. In our little province there is talent, strength and worth, even in its miniature frame."
When you enter the gallery, one of the first things to notice is that all of the hanging works are displayed at about 3.5 feet from the floor. Like the description states, this height and the scale of the works truly makes the viewer feel like they are giant by comparison.
I immediately thought of a Conservation on Canvas painting that I wanted to complete when I was first issued this challenge from the ALMAG. For me, having to crouch down and look closely perfectly described my experience of searching for Furbish's Lousewort with Jim Goltz at the George M. Stirrett Nature Preserve back in summer 2014. I also appreciated that this show was going to feature the notion of "small being powerful" and its tie-in to the what makes New Brunswick special and unique. Certainly Furbish's Lousewort fits this description as an extremely rare beauty with only handfuls of the plants known to exist anywhere...and yet here they are in New Brunswick!
I actually completed two works of the same size for this show. Both are 6 x 6" oil on canvas paintings that I feel complement each other well. Below is Furbish's Lousewort. I will keep the other a surprise for anyone who wants to visit the works in person either in this show or in the final Conservaton on Canvas exhibition. The other painting also depicts an interesting plant that requires "looking closely." However, the second one was spotted at a different Nature Trust of New Brunswick preserve. As a hint, I'll say that the second one ties in perfectly with the title of the show, 'Eat It Up.' Ok, that's all I will say. Check out the show for a chance to see these and many other miniature works in person!