WIP 36x48" oil on heavyweight canvas
I have to stop working on this and get back on track with work due soon, but I keep putting it off. Keep promising myself...one more day and then it's back to my regularly scheduled program. I'm thrilled that the Dreads have eased up some and am feeling much better.
I so appreciate your patience with me as I work through Tim's loss. Writing about my feelings on my blog helps so much, however I don't want it to become a pit of despair. Your comments of support and caring mean so much and I will be forever grateful for every syllable.
This painting is a beast! So much detail and me so impatient. I promised myself I wouldn't post it until it was completed but looks like I lied. At least now maybe I can put it aside and get back on my deadline work, but I'm so looking forward to getting it to the "bright work" stage. There are so many subtle shadows and highlights to do that I think will really help it sing...I hope.
I've wanted to paint asparagus for so long but I've seen so many really amazing paintings of them I wanted to try something different. I bought three bunches of really beautiful stalks and placed them on light gray backdrop paper, trained the spotlight on them, stood on a step stool and snapped away. I thought at first that the shadow gave them a "line up" kind of feeling but I think it adds an interesting touch and a feeling of "movement", as if they're all milling about not knowing what to do next.
We could never use the proper words for anything and somehow asparagus morphed into sparrows ass. I can hear Tim now..."Would you like some sparrows ass with the salmon tonight?" Oh my, yes, please!
We'll see. Thanks for dropping by.
Sparrow a%&!! SO GREAT!! I love that. :) But seriously your painting is so beautiful Suz. I SO admire your patience with all those details. You are making it sing to me already so I really can't wait to see it when it is singing to you.
ReplyDeleteAnd I feel like we are friends so any thing I can do that might let you know that I care about you is enough thank you to me. *hugs* my friend. Kiss those pug babies for me!!
Hahaha! I may have to adopt that saying! I'm sure others will too! Love it and looking forward to the "brights" It must be huge!
ReplyDeleteI guess I just love your work, Suzanne because, well, I just love this! The asparagus have personality! Could that be true? You have made it so!
ReplyDeleteSnicker...sparrows ass...good one! Sounds like my version of dawn "first crack of sparrow fart" :)God, I'm such a kid sometimes...
ReplyDeleteYou are so brave painting asparagus and so good at it! I love those little triangular shapes on the stems and how they point in different directions and those subtle shadows.
And don't you worry about talking about Tim. We're your virtual sounding board, throw it all at us and get it out! We're in your corner.
This is very cool.
ReplyDeleteGosh!! You amaze us again because we cannot believe you painted those!
ReplyDeleteTruly they look like they are ready to be cooked!
Thank you for trusting us with your words and feelings. Each day is different- a resting day- a soaring day-- and we all have those days too.
It really is about trust- and we love you !
love
tweedles and moms
What a fun painting. You are really having fun with this one. I love it and I love the canvas size. Super!
ReplyDeleteMy family has always been a great one for morphing words too...Fairplay became foreplay...Walmart became Walfart...you get the drift. LOL Anyway, I think these are awesome and I got such a tickle out of your thoughts of them looking like a lineup...Make one move and the sparrow's ass gets it. Ok...I see it is going to be one of those kinds of days around here. LOL Not only do I really like this piece, I now am rather craving asparagus!
ReplyDeleteWow Suzanne!! And this isn't even finished? I have zoomed in and can't see a single thing I would change - it's awesome!!!!
ReplyDeleteWe used to make up new names for food too, just to encourage the kids to eat their dinner. So, Minced Beef and Onion, became 'Cow Pat'... Yes, somehow they seems to want to eat that more!!! So glad your feeling better again :0)
Love your "sparrow's ass". The greens are so bright and luscious.
ReplyDeleteIt's gorgeous!!!!!! And huge!!! I absolutely love it!!! Not sure what you have left to do to this painting but it is stunning.
ReplyDeleteI always look forward to your posts and paintings, Suzanne!!! LOVE
ReplyDeleteyour asparagus...your greens are perfect and love the details...and its always nice hearing about something Tim said!!!
Sparrow's ass reminds me about a dish my sister in law used to make. The pet name for it was "birds without heads". (You had to be there). This painting is ammmaaazzzing. I sort of can't stop looking at it! It is a symphony of gorgeous greens and those shapes are just impeccable! I'm hopelessly in love with it.
ReplyDeleteHello Suzanne, your blog is wonderful and interesting! I loved the paintings! Do have a sneak peek at my blog as well!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful little shapes within shapes - and I agree that the shadow adds an extra movement and tension to the piece :)
ReplyDeleteWow! How on earth can you make asparagus look so good....
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness Suzanne - WOW!!!!! These are gorgeous already - I can't picture them being any more perfect that this! Beautiful composition and the shadows are just scrumptious! I love the blues, purples, burgundy and greens - this piece is simply delicious! Great job on this, and I love your post as well - totally made me laugh! "Sparrows Ass," why, that's one of my favorite foods! Hahaha! Love you Suz and it's great seeing you up and playing with your paints again.
ReplyDeleteThat's the best asparagus painting I've ever seen. Wow. Look at all that beautiful colour and rhythm! Love it. You are so talented!
ReplyDeleteWonderful painting! congratulations!!
ReplyDeleteFor sure the most heavenly asparagus I have ever seen! They're set up like a grove of trees waving in a gentle breeze- so inventive :)
ReplyDeleteWow!! Really fantastic! I love the greens and the composition. Just plain beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteWow indeed! This is so fantastic. I wish I could see it size as -- it must be amazing. I like your description of the asparagus milling around waiting for something to happen. Watch out guys. Next stage is the pot, and some boiling water, or the pan and some olive oil. Love it!
ReplyDeleteXO Barbara
Oh Suz, you certainly have been working hard! One thing can be said about you, you do love to challenge yourself. This looks amazing. I definitely get movement from your lineup. They actually appear to be at a sparrow ass social, all moving about the crowded room perhaps to get back to the bird seed buffet. I can just hear them all chattering together. I really look forward to seeing it finished. You will certainly make it all sing!
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful stalks. They do look as though they're milling about, having conversations, scoping out one another... sort of an asparagus cocktail party. Shucks, you've given then so much personality and energy I may not be able to nibble a stalk again!
ReplyDeleteQuelle pure merveille !!!
ReplyDeletej'adore
bravo
monique
thank you so very much! i couldn't find your email to thank you personally, i do hope you check back.
Deletelooks amazing suzanne .... good luck with the mentoring sounds good .
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