Investments of Joy

“Investments of Joy”: a brother and sister in shallow clear water. A 50 cm circle on wood, texture and oil.

I painted the bottom in detail: pebbles, shells, grains of sand. Sun dissolves in water like that without a trace, and the floor shimmers.

The boy leans forward, palms in the water, collecting his haul with the air of a researcher. Proving nothing to anyone, just busy.

The girl is slightly aside, a breath away. She is catching the glints and enjoying that on her own, with no need to share it.

That is the main thing in this one. They are together, each in a private universe, and neither gets in the way.

Being glad next to someone instead of on their behalf is a rare skill. Children have it.

The investment is that the roots of their joy are shared, though it grows separately.

A round board of half a metre. These go to a kitchen wall or beside a cot.

Painted by hand in my studio, and I make more of them to order.