Positive Seat at the Crossroads
14.5" x 16.25"
Watercolor, Gouache, Image Transfer, Watersoluble Crayon, & Tea Staining on Watercolor Paper
Float-mounted on an archival, Concrete-colored mat board
Framed in a solid wood, maple shadow box frame 20.25” x 22.5”
Glazing is UV, museum-grade plexiglass
This particular piece began in West Orange, NJ, prior to my move to Durham, NC. While you may not notice any particular defining landmarks, the crossroads are two streets I spent most of my time on - either driving into and out of our neighborhood, or walking the kids to and from school. My partner and I were in the midst of deciding wether or not to sell our home and relocate. It appears I completed this painting sometime in January of 2021, and then we finally decided to sell our home in March. I believe I was simply asking myself to be in that space of the decision. While it was not a simple choice, I recall moving into a place of acceptance and curiosity, rather than one of resistance. Orange is often associated with creativity, and crossroads are a metaphor of impending change. I don't even know if I was aware of the exactitude of this painting - a crossroads is "a point at which a crucial decision must be made that will have far-reaching consequences."
This painting is currently on exhibit - Take a Seat: Recent Works by Jennie Traill Schaeffer and is available for purchase here.