Sending Cozy Vibes and Three Questions

Why am I sending cozy vibes and three questions? Oh I can’t wait to share. But, before reading on, if you want more information about me, check here.

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Sending Cozy Vibes

After the events of the past week(s), the icy weather, attending protests, writing and calling elected officials – whew – I had to embrace a few quiet and cozy moments. And, that’s what this week’s 6×6 inch oil painting on panel board is all about. It will be framed and ready to hang for $50 at an upcoming show (see details below). Here’s hoping this sweet painting helps send cozy vibes to you:

Show Announcement

Before I get to the three questions, I’m excited to share I’m participating again in the Forest Park Art Show at the Brown House Gallery, along with 12 other fine, local artists. Here are the details, please mark your calendar and come by and say ‘hi!’

Forest Park Art Show, is a free community art event featuring 13 local artists working in painting, mixed media, photography, and printmaking.

The Brown House 

1310 Hillsborough St, Raleigh
Sunday, April 12, 2026
2:00PM to 5:00 PM
Free admission
Held in the historic Brown House Gallery along Raleigh’s vibrant Hillsborough Street corridor, this show is designed to be welcoming and accessible for art lovers, collectors, families, and curious passersby alike. Sponsored by Brown House Gallery and Forest Commons

Sending Cozy Vibes and Three Questions

At the end of last year, I started sharing paintings that I have and love so much. Why? Well, I thought it would be fun to share what I like about a painting and how and why I came to buy it.

So, the first thing I did is start reading. And, another artist friend of mine shared a fun book called “The 12-hour Art Expert” by Noah Charney. Heads up, just when you think this might be a good book to get for your kid, please know there are some racy and ribald references (hilarious to me) that may not be age appropriate. You decide!

Charney goes out of his way to list clear, fun ways to look at art. And, he has three questions (thank you Aristotle) that Charney suggests we can use to assess a particular piece of art. I am going to share the three questions and then a piece of art that I bought last year. I’ll let you form your own answers to the three questions about this artwork.

Ready for the Three Questions

Note these questions are all thanks to the book, “The 12-Hour Art Expert” by Noah Charney. Ready? Here goes!

Question number one is “Is it good?” In other words, do the results match what we might know of the artist’s intention.

Question number two is “Is it beautiful?” Oh wow is this subjective or what? Of course it is. But, Charney relies on Aristotle again and in his day, beauty meant ennobling. It even meant morally elevating (imagine that!) While we’re here, consider what words you might use to describe beautiful.

Question number three is “Is it interesting?” Yipes this is even more subjective a question than number two above. One way to help you discern this answer is to ask “…do you feel or think differently after your encounter with the artwork than you did before you saw it?” (Charney, 2022, p.7)

Here’s the Painting

OK gentle reader, here’s the painting. I got it at a local gallery, called Satellite Space. Their inaugural show had a challenge: the participating artists’ were challenged to share their vision of a satellite. Here’s local painter and neighbor, Jenn Hales satellite painting that I absolutely had to have in my own collection at home. It’s painted in acrylics and ~ 3 3/4 inches by 4 3/4 inches.

I can share that if you ever have the chance to see this gem in person, you would be able to understand why my answer to each of the three questions above is an enthusiastic “YES!”

Whether you would have purchased this painting or not, I hope you can use these questions as you look at art on your computer, at your local gallery or art museum or even in your own studio.

Hope you enjoyed this week’s paintings and post. I look forward to hearing from you in the comments below.

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References:
Noah Charney, (2022)The 12-Hour Art Expert, Bloomsbury