Margot's Apples

Apples, 30" square, oil on canvas, by Margot van Horn, proudly hanging in my family room. They are flanked with a landscape by Linda Shantz and three ATC sized silver prints by Juliet Harrison, along with a couple of my creepy dolls. To the right on the wall, a drawing by Susan Leyland hangs above an oil painting by Virginia Vaughan. In addition to all the pieces from the artists she represented, Margot had a sampling of her own artwork at her Gallery. She was always thinking about the next half dozen pieces to come out of her studio, and she was never at a loss for ideas. The instant I saw these apples, I was in love. She had been painting shadows without using black - you know that's a concept close to my heart - and pushing the boundaries of representation vs a flat picture plane. I gushed to her over this painting, then came home and gushed to My Better Half.  When I called later, wanting to buy the painting, Margot told me it had sold. I was disappointed but also thrilled for her to have found a buyer so easily.  Fast forward a couple weeks. My Better Half and I are carrying sleeping children into a dark house after a week spent camping. The lights get switched on and there the apples were, in my own family room. Surprise! My Better Half connived with Margot. He then recruited a friend to pick the painting up and sneak it into our house.  I smile every time I look at it.  Margot's memorial was beautiful, and the gathering of friends a testament to how generously she supported the arts, nurtured creativity and shared her talents. She made us all believe we were extra special and was always wildly waving to us from the cheering section. Thanks for all of your notes and emails and messages. I couldn't respond to all of them, there were so very many, but please know that I am touched by your outpouring of love. And thanks, too, for following along with my artwork, Kim  ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com