Pomegranates

Pomegranate #1, 5 inches by 7 inches, December 2011

Pomegranate #2, 5 inches by 7 inches, December 2011

Pomegranates are always a challenge for me, as they have an odd shape, and the leathery skin defies the identity of color or sheen. I had to come up with a different kind of shorthand mark to define the surface and all the turning planes and facets and edges.

A Pomegranate

A Pomegranate, 5 inches by 7 inches, December 2010

Sold! Private collection, Bondurant, Iowa

Today I revisited the ever evasive pomegranate. It has skin like leather, so it doesn't shine, and instead of gentle curves it has gently curving facets. It's almost dark red, but transitions in every direction to pale versions of faded violet. The turning edges reflect every color without ever having a gloss.

A Pomegranate

A Pomegranate, 5" by 7", oil on linen board, October 2008

Private collection, Wayne, Pennsylvania

And then I carved out a small study of a single pomegranate. I learned some things, but I'm not sure if I nailed it down. I'll try again another time.