Friday, August 29, 2008

The Avocado Dilemma


The other day, I sliced open this avocado for the salad and was struck by the gorgeous range of colors. From the buttery yellow near the pit to the electric lime near the edges, and the deep mysterious color of the skin, I knew I wanted to paint. It came together almost effortlessly and I'm very happy with it. It was effortless because this is what I love to do. This is my passion, finding the beauty in the ordinary things of life, the fruits, vegetables, flowers. This is what I love to draw and paint in small scale. And therein lies the dilemma. The library I work in hangs artwork from the college community on one of the large bare white walls. They have asked me to submit some work to hang in the fall. Last year, they took a sketch of tomatos that was 5x8". There it was, tucked beneath Pat's soaring Rocky Mountain landscapes, Judy's exciting horses and cowboys, Joan's exqusite portrait of a cat, and the guest artist's four panel painting of an elephant's head. All were quite large. I felt like a teetotaller on a wineries tour. Maybe I could choose 3 or 4 of my small veggies and frame them together to give a big bigger footprint. I don't quite know what to do.
Watercolor paints in the Moleskine WC journal 8x5"

19 comments:

Kunstrxns said...

gorgeous, and do your small works get a tracer project them on a big canvas and paint them, 2 for the price of one and think of a huge avocado

kazumiwannabe said...

Beautiful avocado! No new idea for your dilemma, sorry... your idea of framing a collection of your works is cool, and kunstrxns's idea of making them bigger is fun too!

Anonymous said...

What a lovely lovely painting. As a fellow librarian, I'd be very hapy to have your works hang in one of my libraries. I say, stick with small and be very proud of what you do.

Anonymous said...

Your avocado is really gorgeous! I read somewhere that artists usually prefer to work in one size - roughly small, medium, and large - and that it is really difficult for most to move among the formats. So I agree that framing a collection of what you love and do so well would be fantastic and in the end might make you happier and be more representative of YOU.

Ann said...

This is lovely! I like the idea of framing a collection, as a group. That could have a very elegant look.

Anonymous said...

I certainly wouldn't worry about submitting larger versions of your art. It speaks quite well in your own size choice!

Kathleen said...

Great post - Shirley's comment was interesting I love medium size (15 x 20) and working small or BIG is a challenge for me - But I agree with kunstrxns BLOW IT UP let this little avocado EXPLODE in a big way-- it will stretch your skills and challenge you too. But that being said this is a wonderful piece just as it is... and really, in the end, size does not matter.

Katy said...

You did a great job!

BARBARA WEEKS said...

This is wonderful! The colors are perfect. I think your idea about using several of you small veggies paintings and hanging them together is a great idea. You could even use one large frame with a mat with several windows. Good luck!

Deb said...

Wow...this is gorgeous! I think it would be great to select an odd numbered grouping and have them matted all into one large framing. The different colors and textures matted together will be eye catching.

Timaree said...

I agree with matting a few into one frame. Or frame a few in the same way and make sure they are hung together (glue a ribbon connecting them if you think the library would put them here or there to get lost. How about a very large mat with a small opening to make a larger picture?

JennArtDesigns said...

Beautiful colors and beautifully done painting!

Anonymous said...

Very nice colors. I would encourage you along the same line than others already did: frame a collection. Keep up your good work.

Anonymous said...

I like small drawings/paintings too. Yours makes my mouth water. It is near tea time!
Keep them small and put them all together at the exhibition. Perhaps you could draw the attention by surrounding your paintings on the exhibition white board, a system of rainbows pointing to your work,anything to attract the attention to your beautiful creation.
Regards, Misha

caseytoussaint said...

Well it's really beautiful. Why don't you frame them in very large frames with coordinated mats? I see tiny little drawings presented that way all the time in Paris galleries. It makes them seem more consequent. I framed a small sketch of my cat that way, and it came out really well.

Anonymous said...

The colours are so fresh and bright. Grouping can work, even with different sizes, styles and frames. It is the quality of the work and preferences of viewer that usually decide the sucess of the paintings. (what the artist thinks of it - is only important to the artist.)Unless they are famous and being interviewed! I would continue to work on what you like best. My tuppence worth.

Jim Bumgarner said...

This is perfect! It makes me want to go into the kitchen and put together some guacamole!

Lisa Adams Reed said...

What a great painting. I think you should frame it using a huge mat. Stick with your gut and paint what you love to paint. You have a passion for it!
Lisa

Peachtreeart said...

Great job, very realistic, looking at it makes me hungry.