Work in progress ...

Such a tasty subject ...

I'm currently working on the Fruit Assignment for the SBA Distance Course.  I'm not so keen on fruit paintings so the opportunity to portray the story  from flower to early stages and finally the fruit was more appealing to me from a compositional point of view... even before I commenced the assignment I knew what I wanted to be my subject - Physalis peruviana - the Cape Gooseberry.

Physalis peruviana

One of the reasons for choosing this subject is that the plant grows rampantly on our property - I would finally have more than enough study material - whereas many of the other assignments fall on opposite seasons - here was a chance to really get to know the subject in situ.



I'm sure many botanical artists are familiar with their art rooms being littered with  samples of plants, fruits, flowers etc!  During this assignment I have 'auditioned' so many branches, fruits, calyx subjects - the art table is looking pretty shabby now.
When the fruit starts to dry out or gather mould it's time to clean up and bring in fresh supplies ....

Rejects from the audition process ...

Lead roles ....

I am really enjoying this assignment - perhaps because the madness of Christmas and New Year are well behind me .... and I have a whole shiny new year ahead to take a different perspective.

First washes

The washes have been going on nicely... 

The subject has been behaving itself ... not dying too quickly on me ...

WIP

So far all's well - so nice to have something fall into place and unfold in front of you.  These fruits are delicious - sweet yet tart - my mouth waters just describing them.  It is the shabbiest of plants but when you look really closely - it has an incredibly complex and beautiful life cycle.

That's why I love botanical art - it makes you look beyond the exterior package and get to know a plant intimately ... sigh ... back to painting!!!