One of our biggest internet crushes is @gardenercook. Lorene Edwards Forkner's daily practice of color blocking the hues that make up her West Seattle garden has had us mesmerized since we first set eyes on her feed.
Recently a seed was planted: what if she were to offer prints of the images she takes to record this daily meditation? This Sunday Dec. 15 from 10:30a – 3p she will introduce these prints at Click!.
How would you describe what you make?
My paintings are a part of a daily practice in which I pick something from my garden and try and capture the colors in what I call a watercolor gesture. The whole point is to see deeply and forage for a color match.
What drew you to this medium and style of work?
Seeing Color in the Garden began in early 2018 as a part of that year's The 100-day Project. I had completed 2 previous years and wanted to keep my streak going. But, along with other messy life circumstances, my father had just died and I was gutted. I was in no condition to tackle an ambitious project. So I set exceedingly simple parameter with what I hoped would be low barriers to success. I vowed to be gentle with myself, to forgive falling short, provided I continued to follow through. So what began as a timid attempt to merely show up for an online challenge has become a treasured daily practice. I chose to work in watercolor because of its immediacy and it's what I had around.
Can you tell us about your favorite piece in the current collection?
I particularly love the Anemone. In the past couple of years I've finally figured out how to grow this flower in my garden and enjoy countless bouquets throughout spring. My anemone painting seems to capture the freshness and generosity of that experience, and I feel pretty good about how close I came to matching the colors. I feel like my affection for this plant comes through in my study.
If you could collaborate with anyone (living or not), who would it be and why?
Mark Rothko - or any of the color field painters.
What's the best piece of advice you've been given?
Keep going - Austin Kleon (His book by that same title is sacred text to me)
Can you describe your favorite part of the process in your work?
Mixing and testing to match color
Do you find that your work processes change with the seasons, and if so, how?
Literally - EVERYTHING about my work changes with the seasons... even with each day and hour. It's all about capture a moment
Has there been a big "oops" moment you've had while creating? What was the outcome?
Way too many to count. Seeing Color in the Garden has become meditative exercise that quiets my mind even on days when my clumsy attempts frustrate me and fall sort of depicting what nature does so elegantly. But I continue to grow in my appreciation of color and beauty in the natural world. So, even when I fail (epically!) I win.
I love your rendition of "Lamb’s Ear:, appearing in the Seattle Times, Northwest Magazine. You’ve painted the subtle details on the leaves so beautifully! And the colors are very inspiring. I’ve clipped it and plan to frame for my office.
Thanks,
Bonnie