CHILDREN Do Like FRUIT—and POLITICS
Yesterday afternoon, I was invited to a "strawberry tea," hosted by the Hon. Carolyn Bennett, MD at her home. Carolyn is a very versatile and industrious MP who shows an obvious love for her riding (St. Paul’s, where I live) and her constituents. She’s personable, vivacious, and dedicated, no issue seeming too small for her to try to remedy.
I’m in discussion with her right now about the arts in Canada and how individual visual artists, like myself—even when selected to represent our country at a world-class event (the Florence Biennale)—find it impossible to get support (funding or otherwise) from government agencies or national and local businesses. You can spend so much time trying to secure assistance that actual art-making suffers—time as well as impetus gone!
Carolyn showed her commitment to helping turn things around with a recent studio visit, and by purchasing a painting of mine ("Very Berry," oil on canvas, 10in x 10in).
Since I knew this piece was going to be on display at the tea, I decided to prepare a fruit plate to go with it.
This, I think, ended up being the most visited offering on the table, for the children at first. Then, the adults followed, and the plate was soon emptied.
I believe that when food looks fun and interesting, whatever it is, people will gravitate towards it. Maybe the shapes and colors drew little fingers in, or it was just because fruit, large or small, is easy to grab and munch—juicy and refreshing on a warm nearly-summer afternoon.
