Tomatoes for Betsy

Oil on Board

Artichokes on a Pink Plate



Oil on Gessoed Ragboard laid down on wood, 5" x 8"   SOLD

I really enjoyed doing this painting. It was truly a challenge analyzing

the colors in the artichokes. Who ever thinks about actually mixing pink

and green together? Of course, they are complementary colors, but we

usually think about mixing red and green to create a muted, neutral

color. Here, I had to create many different versions of green, and some

spots were almost iridescent. I love these colors! -  I think I may keep

experimenting with artichokes, or, I bought some beautiful small

Indian eggplants at an amazing international supermarket that we

go to. They are a rich purple/rose color with contrasting green/brown

stems. Now I just have to come up with a composition that will do

them justice. Color is an amazing thing - it is almost alive in its

ability to interact and create any effect that you can think of.

Josef Albers was correct when he described color as being the

most "mercurial" aspect of art. But mastering color -- that is the

challenge that every artist faces, and for some it is a never-ending,

totally absorbing pursuit. I know that it is for me.



Peppers and Turquoise

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This is a very small painting. It is only 6" x 3". Therefore, I was able to do it in just
one afternoon. I like the colors. I deliberately made the background and foreground
turquoise. So often paintings of this type have brown backgrounds, or the reverse.
That can undoubtedly be beautiful - but it's done all the time. I wanted to try some-
thing that I don't see all the time. Whether or not it's successful, I'll leave up to
you. It sure is fun to be painting again though.

Thanks for visiting.