I have a thing for sinks. I can’t quite explain it. (“Time to Wash Up”, acrylic on canvas, 12×16 ©2012 Michelle Basic Hendry)
This is my third sink painting and if I am allowed to have my way, there will be more. Each one is different and I have learned that because we sink lovers are few and far between, all but the first one I painted are on smaller canvases. And they all seem to end up leaning to the pink. This one isn’t really, but the light quality in the room offered a touch of it, so who am I to argue with a century of pink bathrooms? The original one at my family cottage was pink. My grandmother decorated them. Every bathroom my grandfather built for her was pink. Clearly, Frank Cooper’s mother had something in common with my grandmother. (below – Cooper’s Bathroom Sink © 2010 Michelle Basic Hendry)
The sink above is from the Sparrow Beach Lodge, but I did take liberties with the background colour, so I have not played up the relationship. I suppose the owners might recognize their soap dish? Unlike the other sinks, this one is still actively in use by the Rodak family. This sink is on the main floor of the castle of Sparrow Lake.
I love your header where I can see an array of your paintings, that’s a good idea. And for sink lovers, I admit this is the first time knowing that they are out there, albeit ‘few and far between’. I particularly like the second painting here for the more contrasting interplay of light and shadow.
I am glad you like the site makeover. It was nice to be able to customize finally!
The light on the first painting was diffused daylight and the second was lit by a single lamp in a windowless room. I often play with strong light, so it was fun to use subtle value changes this time around for a softer look. Everything I painting in the old hotel seemed to have this soft light… Hmmmmm!
We use sinks daily, multiple times. After more than a century, we are still using sinks, and anticipate their continued use. We meet ourselves in the morning over a sink, and say goodnight to ourselves in the evening. There is much to be said about sinks; a fabulous theme to explore.
Very true. I love the overlooked and abandoned. It all suggests a theme of things, places being taken for granted.