Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Too Pretty to Eat


Olives and Cheese
6 x 6
oil on doorskin

Late in the afternoon I try to have some down time and will often pour a glass of wine, put out a plate of olives and cheese, grab a book or magazine and head out to the front porch. It's my daily treat to myself, a break between the day's chores and the evening shopping and dinner making. Lately I've come across some amazing olive mixes and one day just the sight of the brilliant colors and varied shapes and sizes was enough to make me reluctant to dig in and ruin the display. I had to paint it and so here it is. Lots of fun doing this one and keeping it under 2 hours forced me to be fast and loose.

13 comments:

Carolina said...

I think I couldn't have resisted the temptation... but good you could, the painting is great!
Best regards,
Carolina

Unknown said...

Thanks Carolina - one of the benefits of becoming an artist is I've found I look more closely at every day life and am discovering many beautiful little scenes previously passed by...

Ruth said...

How so very true. Everything has composition, highlights, shadows! Every place one looks. Here a scene; there a scene. Aren't we lucky to be so attuned.
This is a neat comp. Love how you positioned the plateful on the canvas. Your colors are super. They zing! Complementary colors used to perfection. And, I'm ready to indulge in the succulence of the ripened fruit & cheese.

Unknown said...

Thanks so much Ruth - I'm almost enjoying painting food more than eating it - almost but not quite!

L.Holm said...

Amazing job for just 2 hours. Must be the key to it's being so fresh and lively. Your late afternoon ritual sounds like bliss! :-)
The summer zipped by, and I've not made many blog rounds or posts lately. Good to see you again! Do you have crisp air in BC now?

Unknown said...

Hi Liz,
Great to hear from you! Yes my little break is short but very sweet and the air is still warm as we are in the desert - we were sitting out till dark tonight.

Anita Stoll said...

Very beautiful, I especially like your colors and composition. I take a little break in the late afternoon also except mine is a few minutes with Oprah. Not nearly as pleasant as yours sounds. I was very proud of myself as I did a painting in under an hour tonite. It's on my blog now

Dana Cooper said...

This is wonderful little painting Barb...I love the color and I love that you treat yourself to a daily dose of it...yum!

David Larson Evans said...

Also one of the benefits of being an artist is finding your blog. Keep looking and keep painting.

Unknown said...

Thank you Anita - I'd love to be able to sit and watch a bit of Oprah, especially on a rainy afternoon with a cup of tea.

Unknown said...

Thank you Dana - I kind of let loose on the colors and had some happy accidents! Experimenting can be a lot of fun.

Unknown said...

Thank you David - you've inspired me to get out of a mini slump here and am back at the easel and enjoying everyone's blogs.

Crazy RAvens Studio said...

I really like your grape paintings! We have both studied under Mike Svob..I can see his influence in some of the landscapes. I so envy you living in the Okanagon.