Leaves and berries 1/2 sheet 140# Arches coldpress
Friends from New Hampshire are coming in next weekend and the Husband and I will be enjoying time with them and also acting as NYC tour guides. We usually try to offer useful advice for the tourists who are not used to visiting large cities. Last time my advice was “don’t make eye contact with anyone.” This time I think I will offer advice on how to know when a fight may break out. Oft times these three questions are asked before fists start a-flyin’.
1. Whaddya looking at? or as a variation, Whadda YOU lookin’ at? Now this question doesn’t necessarily mean a fight will break out, but it’s best to get out of the way when this question arises.
2. You lookin’ at me? At this point you should seriously consider going in another direction.
3. Do you know who I am? This question is usually asked in a fancier restaurant or an airport.
These are not to be confused with The Three Questions, a short story by Leo Tolstoy which concerns a King that wants to find the answers to what he considers the three most important questions in life.
- What is the best time to do each thing?
- Who are the most important people to work with?
- What is the most important thing to do at all times?
Turns out the king got his answers from a hermit.
- The most important time is now. The present is the only time over which we have power.
- The most important person is whoever you are with.
- The most important thing is to do good to the person you are with
Carol King: drawing, painting, complaining 
34 comments
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January 16, 2012 at 12:14 am
Aaron the Ogre
Very Nice. I love the painting and the New York questions.
January 18, 2012 at 8:51 am
Carol King
Thank you Aaron. How nice of you to stop by and comment.
January 16, 2012 at 8:59 am
christine
I’d say “full service” – beauty, humor and wisdom (or was that simply a literary reference, not too shabby in itself)
January 18, 2012 at 8:53 am
Carol King
We aim to please!
January 16, 2012 at 9:18 am
Barry Coombs
Philosophy, practical street-proofing and a very successful watercolour. It’s one of my favorites of all the work I’ve seen on your blog. Translucent lights, very effective use of negative space, attractive colour and it’s big, too!
January 18, 2012 at 8:54 am
Carol King
Many thanks Barry and thank you for comments. I’m still learning and trying. I’m happy to hear you like this painting.
January 16, 2012 at 5:06 pm
asmalltowndad
Another wonderful painting! Thatsa what I think… So whatcha go’n do bout it! Said in my best New York tuff man voice. LOL oh well I tried
January 18, 2012 at 8:55 am
Carol King
LOL Ryan! You did an excellent job imitating a tough guy. I know you’re really a pussycat! I’m glad you liked the painting.
January 16, 2012 at 5:17 pm
cathys
hahaha Maybe next year duck and cover…. or the advice i always gave my young sons…. RUN!!!! I am in love with you leaves and berries. Cards or wrapping paper? I’ll call your agent:) oh have a fun visit!
January 18, 2012 at 9:00 am
Carol King
I always try to give my visitors helpful advice when visiting NY. And mostly I joke (I hope that comes across in the posts), but NYC isn’t really that dangerous. But it is still crowded. I’m happy you like the leaves and berries. Maybe I’ll add some snow next winter and use it as my holiday card.
January 17, 2012 at 5:18 am
jimmyboi2
Not for nothing, I’m just sayin’, but who’s better than you? I love the striking red in the berries!
January 18, 2012 at 9:00 am
Carol King
Yo, thanks bro! I’m off to read your many new posts!
January 17, 2012 at 8:55 am
Beth Parker
This is beautiful, Carol… and so big! I’m not brave enough to tackle a 1/2 sheet. Bravo! I’m such a woos that I’d probably go with the first idea… no eye contact. “D
January 18, 2012 at 9:25 am
Carol King
Beth, you’d be fine. You’re a PILOT! You’re brave, you can do it. Come visit!
thanks for your comments on the leaves and berries.
January 17, 2012 at 10:27 am
napabelle
Great job! Not easy all these leaves! I love your berries ! Fun fun !
January 18, 2012 at 9:26 am
Carol King
Hi Isabelle, I really enjoyed painting this and the most fun was doing the negative spaces!
January 17, 2012 at 11:40 am
lesliepaints
First you hit me with the beautiful color of leavesand berries and then you treat me to wisdom! I had heard this a few times before, but, like everything else, it all gets shuffled around in life. The reminder will serve me well!
I like the transitions in value that your darks make in the background, Carol. Leaves are beautiful and the berries sparkle! I really like this piece.
January 18, 2012 at 9:27 am
Carol King
I stopped painting way before I normally would have and I think that was an important lesson for me. I’m so glad you like the painting and the advice. thanks, Leslie.
January 17, 2012 at 1:18 pm
camilla
Carol, I just love your blog! You always make me smile. I’ll remember your advice for when I’m going to New York.
Words of wisdom, for sure. I’ll have to read that short story now 🙂
The red berries strikes me, so bright and sparkling. I like how they stand out from the background. Makes me think of children among adults. The children are always so happy and filled with life, while the adults often are sulking somewhere in the back… 🙂
January 25, 2012 at 9:39 am
Carol King
thank you so much Camilla. I always think I scared you off a while back with a subway story. If you ever come to NYC, I will help you out with getting around. 🙂 and I love your description of the berries being like children.
January 17, 2012 at 3:05 pm
Joan T
Oooh… love the lights and darks in this!! Bravo!
Enjoy playing tour guide and keep them out of trouble!
January 25, 2012 at 9:40 am
Carol King
Hi Joan, Thanks for your comments. My New Hampshire friends all survived the visit and we had a great time.
January 18, 2012 at 3:13 am
pointypix
great advice! i tend not to make eye contact with people anyway cos i’m that unsociable! kidding. sort of. i definitely didn’t in NYC but found the only rude people we met were the taxi drivers, none of whom were native new yorkers. mostly we were too busy looking skyward at the huge buildings to look at anyone on street level!
great advice fron the hermit and a great watercolour, i love how succulent the leaves and berries look!
January 25, 2012 at 9:42 am
Carol King
Nicola, YOU of all the visitors here from out of town know that most of us New Yorkers and friendly and helpful! I really do enjoy seeing tourists when they visit or helping them out with directions.
thank you for the comments on the watercolor. I’m finding more and more the less I do, the more I like the piece.
January 18, 2012 at 7:38 pm
Rhonda
This painting is wonderful! Love the bright berries and the greens against the purples. And, as usual, you’ve educated those of us who have never been to a very big city like New York 🙂
January 25, 2012 at 9:48 am
Carol King
Rhonda, I appreciate your visit and comments. And again, NYers are friendly. Don’t pay attention to those stupid polls that say we are rude.
January 20, 2012 at 5:32 pm
Alex Zonis
I was trying to come up with something meaningful and clever to comment with… but failed :(. So I will just say that I love the painting – luscious colors, and I’ve enjoyed the post itself. Thank you, Carol!
January 25, 2012 at 9:49 am
Carol King
Thank YOU Alex. I really like this painting. I started out with a yellow underpainting on the leaves and then tried really hard not to get everything a 50% value. either stay light or go dark. I feel it worked this time.
January 22, 2012 at 12:23 pm
Irina
I like both – art part and philosophical part of this post.
People in New York and around the country were very friendly to me. And I looked around with eyes wide open))
January 25, 2012 at 9:50 am
Carol King
I find it’s always good to be a bit philosophical. It helps me look at the world with clearer eyes. Thank you for visiting and commenting.
January 24, 2012 at 5:18 pm
Cathyann Burgess
Late comer as usal to this post…but….
Thanks for the tips…LOL you are a riot! and this painting..ooh…aaah…very good!
I came back as a tourist not long ago and never encountered those whaddyayou lookin at? But I do remember that as a kid growing up in Brooklyn.
January 25, 2012 at 9:51 am
Carol King
Brooklyn and Manhattan are much different now than when we were growing up. You need to come back again for another visit soon. We can go see the winner of the Greatest, bestest artist at the world famous Brooklyn Museum! LOL
January 27, 2012 at 12:04 am
thepurpledogpaintingblog
Love the Berries! And you went from funny to deep. That’s a little bit of awesome there!
January 29, 2012 at 5:56 pm
Carol King
Thanks Virginia. I don’t do that often though. Glad you like the leaves and berries.