Dancing with Matisse, Oil on Canvas; © Jennifer Pohl

I have family members working in almost every field of endeavour –medicine, business and theatre, to name but a few– but one of my sweet and smart first cousins, Craig Cutler, is something of an artist. He runs his own thriving business in downtown St. John’s at the Trouble Bound Tattoos studio. I’ve been recently trying to convince him to let me do some studies in his shop, because I have a feeling there’s a painting to be found there. Because of my location, and my rapidly advancing due date, it’s a work that won’t happen overnight, so I thought it made sense to post an earlier piece painted for one of my first shows, Mother Mary, Wicked Women and Other Stories, called “Dancing with Matisse”. It seems to be a good fit for the today’s Illustration Friday.

Dancing with Matisse (detail), Oil on Canvas; © Jennifer Pohl

This morning I was delighted to wake up and hear that one of my favourite poets and people, Agnes Walsh, had been named the first Poet Laureate of the city of St. John’s, Newfoundland. The last time I had a chance to talk to Agnes –a very multi-talented person– she made a remark about not being comfortable with any one label, whether that was as poet, writer, or performer. But I have a feeling she has to be happy (if not yet comfortable) with this latest title.

I treasure my little first-edition copy of her first book In the Old Country of My Heart for two reasons: her words resonate with me; and I was honored with having one of my paintings placed on the cover.

“All angels… “, Oil on Canvas; © Jennifer Pohl

She once told me that she stood in the gallery with a glass of red wine, in front of this portrait of an angel, and experienced the feeling of falling in love. This is perhaps one of the nicest compliments any of my paintings has ever received. Strangely enough, I experience the same feelings whenever I take a moment for myself and revisit any of her poems.

Above, you will see the painting in its original form, currently owned by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. The text, which was removed for the book cover, reads “But, he said, ‘ you do know, don’t you, that all angels are men?” (But that’s another story.)

You can hear a sample of Anges’ work and read other reviews here. I must admit, I really love the new cover for the audio version of the book.

Reading Dorian Gray (Portrait of the Artist’s Sister), Oil on Canvas; © Jennifer Pohl

I posted a detail of this painting several weeks ago, but the word for this week’s Illustration Friday seems as good a reason as any to reveal the rest of the image.

Between ultrasounds and looking after our first born, I’ve been keeping pretty busy these days, but I’m also well underway with work in pastel and egg tempera and expect to be able to post more new pieces soon. After a stormy couple of days I was able to get out for a walk and some oxygen and the light was beautiful.

On the Shore, Oil on Masonite; © Jennifer Pohl

A childhood memory.