Yesterday's Everyday by Beth Pederson                             March- April, 2025​​​

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My work has long been situated in the exploration of identifying beauty in everyday objects and their place in society. I am drawn to objects for their aesthetics: simplicity of form, colour, character, and craftsmanship. I enjoy painting objects from the past because they represent a different time when people lived slower-paced lives and had the ability to repair their own clothes and fix their own farm equipment. This work symbolizes times past and lost independence; a stark contrast to our present day lives, where if something breaks, we throw it away because we do not know how to fix it. It is often cheaper to buy a new appliance or device than have it repaired.

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I find objects from previous eras are not only built better but are often more interesting to observe. Older objects are more resilient and long lasting compared to most of the newer items that we buy today, that consist mostly of plastic. Because these vintage items are made with better materials in most cases they still work, unlike electronics and appliances that we now buy that often need to be replaced in 10 years or less.

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Through highly rendered paintings, my work serves to preserve and celebrate objects of yesterday as visual mementos, while also bringing awareness to viewers, the beauty that can be found in our daily surroundings.