How to Eat a Peach

This little painting captures the last summery days as we make way for autumn.

A PEACHY DILEMMA NOT MY FIRST RODEO! SINGING AT DUSK VIRTUAL EXHIBIT

"Temptation", oil painting on wood. 12" x 12".

A PEACHY DILEMMA

I recently sketched out two new paintings on 3-foot by 4-foot wood panels. Each one presents me with a challenge. Hey, I do love a challenge!

sketch for a 36" x 48" painting based on Temptation

When Beth asked to model for me, it felt like a gift. Her hair! Masses of dark curls and corkscrews cascading down her back. This pose is from our third photo shoot. I had just bought peaches from the orchard near my studio, and late in the session I handed her one.

Unexpectedly, that was the one I decided to use for this painting. I loved the look of bliss on her face. But I have never, ever painted anyone eating - so that was the challenge. It seemed wise to test my skill on a small painting first. The "eating" part wasn't hard at all, actually. But her curls, especially the ones falling over her shoulder, weren't so easy. I'm so glad I worked it out on this one first! I titled the 12" square painting Temptation.

NOT MY FIRST RODEO!

I've done this before. The Procession of Hope and Feathers was a huge undertaking, eleven feet wide. The raven mask on the left-hand figure came completely from my imagination. With no source material, I grabbed a 12" square panel and painted a head shot of my niece Hannah wearing the mask - with all those tiny, inky black feathers.

SINGING AT DUSK

sketch for Singing at Dusk

The first of the 36" x 48" paintings (with Temptation as a detail) is playful and sunny. Singing at Dusk will be more contemplative. The water is deep, and dark, and the sun is setting. This sketch is preliminary - the birds will both be singing, as will Haley, the young woman in the tutu. I'm not sure how I will make that happen, but where there's a will, there's a way. Another challenge!

There is a quote from a book by Terry Tempest Williams. It informs so much of my work. She writes: "Once upon a time, when women were birds, there was the simple understanding that to sing at dawn, and to sing at dusk, was to heal the world with joy. The birds still remember what we have forgotten, that the world is meant to be celebrated."

You know me as a painter of women. But birds, in dialogue with the women, have also populated my work for many years.

VIRTUAL EXHIBIT!

Visit Speaking the Language of Birds, a virtual exhibition

For curators, gallery directors, and many of my collectors, you may be interested to know that I've given serious thought to a themed show. I recently created a virtual exhibition that showcases many of my "women and birds" paintings. As you can see, I'm continuing to add to that collection.

AUTUMN

My garden is covered with leaves, soon to be put to bed. I have harvested the last of the tomatoes. My studio is calling me indoors. It's been a great summer!

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