Ow, ow, ow and a colander full of strawberries

Spilling Strawberries – 13″ x 9″ in 140# arches cold press

I don’t have too much to say today.  I am recovering from passing a kidney stone. And if any of you have experienced that, all I can say is ow, ow, ow.  And I wasn’t even owtside when it happened.

I may add that this kidney stone passing is self diagnosed, but having had one before that was diagnosed by an MD with a degree I have to say that I will put my imaginary medical degree up against any real one in this particular diagnostic situation.

The above painting was done from a reference photo from Wet Canvas.  The lovely and talented Beth Parker had a link to it at her blog.  Thank goodness, because for the life of me I cannot navigate that website.

I forced myself to think “simplicity” when doing this painting.  A sketch, a few washes and I was done.   I used a bit of frisket in the colander, but I used wax to keep some of the highlights on the berries and on the colander hole reflections on the tablecloth.

My friend Judy said to me this week:  I’m going to get my hair relaxed.   Do you think they can do anything for my soul?

If only, Judy.  If only.

Box o’ berries – finished

The berries are done. The subway sucked today. I am in a foul mood. Most days I really enjoy painting. Today I felt like I didn’t even have opposable thumbs.

Box O’ Berries

The husband does not like berries. Berries of any kind. Actually, he will say he doesn’t like “erries” to make sure cherries are included in the whole category. Oranges, yum. Apples, yum. Berries of any kind and it’s the “gas face” . You know, that face that people make when they smell gas. His brother Jimmy will always act surprised when some sort of berry is served at a meal and the husband doesn’t want any part of it. Jimmy will then say something like “YOU DON’T LIKE [INSERT NAME OF BERRY?]!!!!sounding completely shocked, like he’s never heard this before. And when told “no” Jim will then launch into a laundry list of every berry he can possible think of at that time. What about raspberries? Blueberries? Boysenberries? Blackberries? It goes on and on. And we are always amused. What a simple bunch we are.

So…speaking of berries, here’s a box of berries that I’m working on. They are strawberries from the farmer’s market in Union Square. My friend Judy took a beautiful photo of them which I used as reference. I still have to complete the tops of the berries with green and firm up some of the shadows. Next week it should be done.