I typically paint in oil, using a large format surface. But I’ve been demonstrating acrylic to my young students, and these fresh artists have really inspired me to play.
I can take or leave pears as a food, but as a painting subject, they are one of my favorite things to paint. Each fruit has so much personality!
Here’s a view one of my large-format pear paintings.
Typical Scale 48″ x 48″
This painting, La Familia, has a many layers of glowing glazes. For me it was a story of relationships.
La Familia
Today I decided to shake it up a bit and play with color.
And what better subject to play with than pears!
So I started a series of small works ( 5″ x 5″), on archival gessobord.
First statement (draft) Mini Pear Series
I started several so I could explore different color combinations.
It will be fun to see where they take me. I’ll post pics when I’m done.
Do you write haiku instead of prose? Swap the trombone for a cello? Trade a country tune for the blues?
I’d love to hear what you do to keep things fresh in your creative world…
So cool! I see it as a way to color your own world the way you see it. That you can do that is awesome.
:O) Thank you Cheryl!
Yes, it is so important to go “out of the box” …bravo to you! Have you ever had pear flavored ice cream? They have it in Sweden. It’s really good even if you aren’t a big fan of the fruit.
I’m HUGE fan of ice cream! I’ll look for it :O)
Shannon Grissom recently posted..What Do You Do To Keep Things Fresh?
Your large pear painting is awesome Shannon! Has a Wow! presentation. Love the idea of your pear series paintings. It is funny because for awhile I have been thinking it would be fun to do a still life with several pears in it. They have such personality! I look forward to seeing you pear series.
Nature often helps keeps things fresh for me. It helps me put the to do lists aside and become inspired by the beauty and simplicity that surrounds me. Looking at other artists work is also very inspiring. Happy Painting Shannon!!
Thanks Debbie. I love visiting your site. Your work and writing are inspiring!
Shannon Grissom recently posted..What Do You Do To Keep Things Fresh?
So glad you are painting your beautiful fruit.
Thanks Janet!
I used to use pears as subjects when playing with different lighting techniques in my photography centric days. They really do make great subject matter. I’m digging the warmth of your ‘La Familia,’ you can almost smell the pears!
The way I like to keep things fresh is to be constantly switching media. I’ll do a pencil drawing, then a painting, then maybe I’ll work on a sewing project or with photo transfers. I don’t do it on purpose, it just seems to happen that way, but it certainly keeps things fresh and interesting.
Thanks for your kind words about my pears! Great idea to switch media and you’ve inspired me to play with lighting on the pears. Thanks Shona!
“The best way to learn is to teach.” Lovely how the pears glow. Radiant.
Huge grin James, agreed!
Shannon Grissom recently posted..What Do You Do To Keep Things Fresh?