We are what we eat...

Cabbage, Carrots, Garlic and Red Onion   watercolor   9 x 13

and we paint what we are....yes....I believe that to be true.  Every stroke reflects the maker.  Every stroke reflects a decision made by the maker that, in actuality, could probably not be repeated by another.  So, for the most part, my paintings become somewhat predictable in that they reflect my own problem solving skills that repeat themselves over time.  And yet, this one surprised me!  It is tighter than usual.  Normally I paint the background in one or two layers with perceivable strokes.  This time I tried something different....a background comprised of multitudinal washes of transparent hues..rose madder, raw sienna and raw umber...in no particular order except what directional I perceived as a lack.  (it needs to be warmer.....etc......add sienna)  Normally, I am not that patient.  In this case, I feel that the flat reflective background plays against the textural painting of the vegetables and even plays up the power of that element.

I love to eat vegetables.  I love to paint vegetables.  I am satisfied with this work.

And yet....I am surprised!

Animation

Carrots   oil/canvas   8 x 24 x .5

I was a Disney kid.....my life full of talking trees, humanized animals and magic. (even though I never really enjoyed cartoons) As a result, I love for my still life and architectural paintings to have a life, to breathe. I really do see them as living things. Although I have never really analyzed it, I guess that this can be accomplished by using more organic lines and fewer straight ones. "Carrots" was painted right after "Beets". Painting pairs can result in works with a similar feel. I was striving for animation, but found out that color was the thing that piqued my interest here. Happens all the time. Strive for one goal and hit the finish with yet another. Fluidity is a good thing.