Sometimes I like what I don’t like.

So, I was in an antique store yesterday.

In addition to antiques, there were a variety of art works on display and for sale.  My eye was caught by a colorful square painting of two sunglassed, bikini-clad women sitting in beach chairs under a bright tropical sky.

I’m not much of a art connoisseur.  In fact, I’m one of those terrible people artists hate because I could say—although I don’t, because I know they  hate it—that I don’t know much about art, but I know what I like.

This painting was not something I particularly liked.  The draftsmanship seemed clumsy, the colors too garish, there were almost no shadows, no perspective.  To be honest, I’m only certain the figures were women because of the title and because the work was so unsubtle as to make me feel that the depiction of long hair could safely be assumed to be an indication of femaleness.

So…in my admittedly uneducated and probably philistine opinion, and only my opinion, I’d have to say it was not a good picture.  I won’t say it was the worst picture I have ever seen. . .but. . .it wasn’t the best.

It did, however, make me laugh out loud and consider, for about half a second, purchasing it.

Because in addition to the beach babes and the bright blue sky, there was something else painted into the picture.  Its title.  In a sort of orangey-red.

Fern and Dina

You probably don’t know why that appealed to me so much.  That’s because you’re missing one critical piece of information.  When I told you I was in an antique store yesterday, I neglected to tell you where.

A little Saturday suggestion here.  Always get the full story.

The reason Fern and Dina, in all their acrylic glory—.  I think they were painted in acrylics.  In fact, I’m almost certain.  The reason Fern and Dina appealed to me so much is I was standing in an antique store.

In Fernandina.

The essence of comedy is the unexpected.

I think I’m going to write “Fern and Dina” up in big letters and post it over my desk to remind me to turn things upside down and inside out and try to look at them through other eyes.