Vine Ripened Goodness

Vine Ripened Tomato #1, 5 inches by 7 inches, December 2011

Vine Ripened Tomato #2, 5 inches by 7 inches, December 2011

Sold! Private collection, Henrico, Virginia

For some reason I found that two tomatoes made a nice enough set without slashing either apart. Although in retrospect, it might have been fun to explore all the complexities within a sliced tomato. Maybe next time...

A Tomato

A Tomato, 5 inches by 7 inches, December 2010

Sold! Private collection

Whenever I decide to study a tomato, the crown of spidery thin leaves around the stem always creates a surprisingly animated compositional element, almost like wind blown hair frozen in place.

A Tomato

A Tomato, 5" by 7", oil on linen board, November 2008

Private collection, Elkridge, Maryland

I carved out a small study of a single vine ripened tomato. There is a different quality to the sheen and shine of the skin of a tomato. Maybe it has something to do with the slightly translucent quality of the surface, although when I think about it, those waxed and genetically superior monster tomatoes probably have a much deeper gloss. I think I'll just stick to these less-than-perfect specimens for the real challenge.

Another Tomato

A Single Tomato, 5" by 7", oil on linen board, April 2008

Private collection, San Jose, California

Today I carved out another study of a single tomato.

A Tomato

A Tomato, 5" by 7", oil on linen board, March 2008

Private collection, Raleigh, North Carolina

Of course I had to paint a tomato, what salad would be complete without a fresh and juicy vine-ripened tomato? I'm surprised to see how many colors other than red I was able to find.