Onions and Garlic

Onions and Garlic   oil/canvas   11 x 14 x .5

We cook A LOT at our home.  And so it follows that fruits and vegetables are always available and truly a visual banquet.  I have always loved the richness of these paintings with a darkish background.  And, if you have seen my work over along period of time, you will note that I do not like said subjects as a "mise en scene" scenario.  ( no bowls, napkins, draperies, etc.)  And so, these veggies have been thrust into a bit of a visual conundrum.  They were observed on a lit tabletop but pushed almost into a vertical presentation of my liking.  Vertigo, anyone?  It works for me.

Tip-toeing with boldness

Paint Brush (labor series)   watercolor   8.5 x 14

Watercolor is such a tricky medium. It represents poetry to me....economy of stroke, less is more, and an underlying grasp of drawing. Sometimes it is too easy to tip-toe.....to use light stroke after light stroke after light stroke, all done in a bit of fear. This sometimes results in a light, cheery, sparkling watercolor painting. Sometimes it results in anemia, a painting that is afraid to be. I try to pay attention to my intuition..... I know that I prefer bolder watercolors that can be read from a distance. I admire the lighter ones. I just don't seem satisfied myself when that happens. Alas and alack.....a lesson in what I am and what I wish to be. The painting "Paintbrush" resulted in class when our goal was to attempt a dark background.....FIRST. This boldness from the beginning set the tone for the rest of the process. I am pleased with the result.