Another Coffee Cup

A Coffee Cup and Saucer, 5" by 7", oil on linen board, November 2008

Private collection, Little Rock, Arkansas

As though I had to prove to myself that I really can't do everything, I carved out a very small study of a coffee cup and saucer. This piece evolved from being a total train wreck to being fairly tight. At some point I'll be learning how to loosen up again, but right now it seems that I've become fairly comfortable with really tiny brushes.

A Gold Ring

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

Private collection, Middletown, Rhode Island

Today I carved out a tight little study of a simple gold ring. I didn't think I'd be able to pull this one off, but suddenly it all made sense, the reflection of the countertop, the window, and even my face against the dark wall behind me.

A Bunch of Grapes

A Bunch of Grapes, 5" by 7", oil on linen board, November 2008

Private collection, Annandale, Virginia

I decided to revisit a very challenging subject, the simple bunch of grapes. Everything about translucence, shine and luminosity will play into capturing this subject.

Star Fruit

Star Fruit, 5" by 7", oil on linen board, November 2008

Private collection, Greenwich, Connecticut

Today I finished a very small study of a very odd subject, the fruit of the carambola tree, known as the star fruit. I always knew I would never attempt to paint this subject, but lately I'm learning to never say never.

Two Cherries

Two Cherries, 5" by 7", oil on linen board, November 2008

Private collection, Portland, Oregon

Yesterday I started a very small study of two cherries, and today I nailed it down. It's almost really tight, but just loose enough to feel like a fun painting.

A Persimmon

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

Private collection, Annandale, Virginia

I never really thought about persimmons until the other night. Whatever inspired me to select Turkish figs was the same thing that motivated me to consider a persimmon as a subject of study. It seems like an odd thing, but maybe after I eat it things will make more sense. We'll see.

A Turkish Fig

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

Private collection, Annandale, Virginia

Just to attempt the impossible, I decided to carve out a very small study of a Turkish fig. Nothing about this was easy, from the yellow green that faded to deep purple to the super low-gloss sheen, to the slightly wrinkled surface. In the end I'm not sure if I nailed it, but it was definitely a good exercise in observation. I'll try this again at some point, when I'm feeling brave.

Three Blueberries

Three Blueberries, 5" by 7", oil on linen board, November 2008

Private collection, Scotch Plains, New Jersey

In the final light of day, I carved out a very small study of three blueberries. I was pondering the notion of painting them larger, but every larger size felt like perspective was being lost by blowing them up to so much larger than life size. Maybe next time.

A Seckel Pear

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

Private collection, Glen Allen, Virginia

Today I put the finishing touches on a very small study of a single seckel pear. I've never considered something so small and dark and shiny, but in this new course of study it seems to be a good subject.

Two Green Apples

Two Green Apples, 5" by 7", oil on linen board, November 2008

Private collection, Washington, DC

Just to follow up on what I learned from all the shine and sheen of one apple, I decided to carve out a study of two apples. It's all very exciting, finding so much more information in the same old subjects.

One Green Apple

One Green Apple, 5" by 7", oil on linen board, November 2008

Private collection, Atlanta, Georgia

Despite the day being fairly dark and gloomy, I carved out a small study of a single green apple. For the first time I'm painting an apple as a composite of surfaces and sheen, and no longer as only the components of light and color. This is exciting, while it is still just one more apple.

A Yellow Pepper

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

Private collection, Washington, DC

Today I completed my series of peppers with a very small study of a single yellow pepper. This painting was supposed to happen yesterday, until I realized that the yellow curried shrimp lunch I was eating happened to contain the yellow pepper that was supposed to be a painting subject. All vegetables on the counter are fair game when the cooking begins.

An Orange Pepper

An Orange Pepper, 5" by 7", oil on linen board, November 2008

Private collection, Ellicott City, Maryland

Today I finished carving out a very small study of an orange pepper. The luminosity of this subject played a big part in understanding the gradations from light to dark, and the amount of light that played through the pepper was almost stronger than the light that was reflected in the sheen of the surface.

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.

A Sliced Avocado

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

Private collection, Greenwich, Connecticut

I sliced open an avocado, and found a whole new course of study in a new range of color and texture. For some reason I always feel so humbled by a sliced avocado, something about the crisp edges and distinct shapes.

One Red Pepper

One Red Pepper, 5" by 7", oil on linen board, November 2008

Private collection, Arlington, Virginia

Today I finished a study of a bright red pepper. I'm intrigued by this new world of shine and reflection, and I'm continuing to have some good painting experiences with the subject of peppers.

A Yellow Onion

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

Private collection, Fairfax, Virginia

Just to study every shade of brown and yellow and gold, I carved out a small study of a single onion. This piece started to get fairly heavy and thick, reminding me of the big paintings I used to do so long ago.

A Green Pepper

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

Private collection, Greenwich, Connecticut

Today I put the finishing touches on a study of a single green pepper. I'm continuing my education in the study of shiny surfaces, and I think I'm finally starting to learn a few things.