My art instructor has been after me for ages to work on a still life at home. I go to my painting class once every Saturday almost without fail and I love it. But, if I want to improve markedly, I need to spend more time painting. Same goes for writing or any other creative endeavor.
Last week I finally set up a still life at home -- a simple bowl of summer peaches. I think peaches are gorgeous. I love their fuzzy nap and the way the pinks and reds fade into the yellows. For me, they are the most beautiful of all summer fruit. Anyhow, I did a drawing, then a grisaille underpainting using raw umber. After my underpainting dried, I spent a few days laying in my first skin of paint on the peaches. Since I had to work last week, I set the bowl of peaches in the fridge to prevent them from going bad.
This weekend I took the bowl out of the fridge to resume work on my painting. Alas, only one peach was left in the bowl! Grrrrrr. "Who ate my still life?"
Husband raises his hand. "I did. Weren't you finished with them?"
"No. I only painted the first skin."
"Oh. Sorry. I really thought you were done with them. They were going to go bad."
Well, fortunately, peaches are still in season so I can use replacements. It's just that they'll look a little different. Next time I guess I'd better post a note. "Don't eat the still life."
