I am pleased to share some writing from physician, author, neighbor and friend Dr. Kristin Ott. She has recently been writing about joy, where she finds it and, in my analysis, how to spread it. She has shared with me a recent post that happened to feature thoughts on my paintings of which the Otts have become collectors. Thanks to Dr. K for your words and for sharing them so generously with all of us.
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Katherine Sandoz’s work is layered and complex—even sort of cerebral. She has a way of making you look at things you’ve seen before in a new way. The seascape pictured below is from her latest collection which is comprised of paintings of various sizes and subject matter that fit together to make an independent expansive piece depicting another scene entirely. She was inspired by the concept of “locus amoenus”—a pleasant space within a larger natural space. Hence her paintings within a painting. See what I mean? Cerebral.
(aurora) sea escape, 2020, water-based media on canvas, 48” x 48”
When we moved to Vernonburg 8 years ago (a locus amoenus within Savannah), Katherine became our neighbor. It’s rumored that her work has earned its way into the private collections of people like Keanu Reeves, but I’ve never verified that with her because it would be beneath her to talk about her art that way. Though talented and successful, she is humble and kind. And when she painted a collection titled, “Vernonburg,” I very much wanted to own a piece from it. That is how this Magnolia came to bloom on our wall.
I’ve looked at it every day for over a year now, and it still sparks joy for me. It features Katherine’s iconic layering, and my connection to it is layered. On the surface, it’s beautiful. And it was inspired by a flower that bloomed right here in Vernonburg—a place I love. And it was painted by someone who talks with me about books and brings me the most lovely hostess gifts—like a silk handkerchief printed with an installation that filled an entire wall in the Jepson Center for the Arts. Printing a massive painting from an elite space on an accessible handkerchief that can be tucked away in a pocket is such a Katherine thing to do. I so admire her and her work.
(vernonburg) grey magnolia, 2018-2019, water-based media on canvas, 36” x 49”
I think a tenet of joy is appreciating what you already have. That’s how art in your home can be a daily source of renewable joy. This painting is for me.
(published on Facebook with this entreaty in its first appearance)
I’d love it if you’d help me create a little “virtual museum” today by commenting with a picture of a piece of art that hangs in your home—or just one that really speaks to you. It can be a poster or a print. If you think it’s beautiful, it’s worth sharing. Art is joy. And sharing it multiplies it.
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Kristin Ott is an emergency medicine physician in Savannah, Georgia. She is the founder of the international Women Physician Writers group and is currently working on her second novel. Some of her popular medical essays can be found on KevinMD.com.