Even though the
Tucson Open Studios Tour is about a month away, I'm pulling out work that has not been on display in the studio for awhile, and thinking about the future guests who'll show up that day.
I don't know if I can do as well as
Jala Pfaff has done documenting her recent open studio, but I'm inspired to try. Check hers out.
This first painting is one of my favorites (
Mighty Vole Hunts Ubiquitous Cactus Fruit, 16" x 20," oil on artists' board). It's how I feel when harvesting prickly pear fruit. There are still a few plump, and juicy tunas tempting me to do more harvesting, but I've been told to give it a rest...! But, my anxious heart says, will I have enough to get through the winter??!
This next image is of a monotype that is another favorite. I did some mark making with oil bar on top of the first pull. It is a Mystery Landscape, monotype, 11" x 15," on BFK Rives paper.
Hope you're all having a great week and working in the studio!
Even though the Tucson Open Studios Tour is about a month away, I'm pulling out work that has not been on display in the studio for awhile, and thinking about the future guests who'll show up that day.
I don't know if I can do as well as Jala Pfaff has done documenting her recent open studio, but I'm inspired to try. Check hers out.
This first painting is one of my favorites (Mighty Vole Hunts Ubiquitous Cactus Fruit, 16" x 20," oil on artists' board). It's how I feel when harvesting prickly pear fruit. There are still a few plump, and juicy tunas tempting me to do more harvesting, but I've been told to give it a rest...! But, my anxious heart says, will I have enough to get through the winter??!
This next image is of a monotype that is another favorite. I did some mark making with oil bar on top of the first pull. It is a Mystery Landscape, monotype, 11" x 15," on BFK Rives paper.
Hope you're all having a great week and working in the studio!
12 comments:
Harvest as many tunas as Ali Baba has rubies in his cave. Just don't tell where you've got them hidden! You'll need plenty of prickly pears to make enough syrup for your winter tea.
Like you, I'm mighty partial to the monotype.
*Grinning* here. There are some mighty ripe tunas about 100 feet from me, taunting me, daring me to get close and pluck some more of them. You've got me thinkin'. My prickly pear bucket is just outside my kitchen door.
Thank you! I know that most visitors will be more interested in the paintings, but I've loved printmaking for a veeeery long time, ever since I saw Fritz Scholder dancing with the band at his exhibit at Tucson Museum of Art in the early 1980s. Ah, what a memory.
You've made my day.
Melinda, seeing these two paintings is like having two old friends come back into my life and then remembering all over again why they are such favorites!
Wow I say,
These two paintings are heavenly. I love both, the unique vision, the daring use of colour, texture, light. And I love how each varies from the other, and yet is so clearly produced by the same eyes, hands and heart. Lucky visitors to your show!
I try to imagine your harvest and can't, but the desire for fresh fruit I completely understand. My passion is the peach, and that extended at least a month beyond the normal this year. My late night snack required a peach. In two months I formed a habit. Oh no. I ate the last peach two weeks ago and felt so sad. But hope is not lost. Nectarines have arrived from California and they are -- (no!) as good as the peach. True.
Interesting how the world works when it works.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxBarbara
Thank you, Linny. I had no idea.
It would be hard to let Mighty Vole go, and, well, Mystery Landscape, too, because they are like friends.
I'm so glad you visit. Your work and friendship are a treasure to me.
Yes, Barbara, there is something particularly unique about prickly pear fruit. It has a distinctive taste, which goes with honey and lime juice really, really well, but it is good medicine for stabilizing blood sugar too. I've even read that if a person eats a little before drinking alcohol, it will lessen any hangover effects. I don't drink alcohol, so I can't say if this is true, but I heard Dr. Oz say it one day. :-)
Sometimes it is hard for me to see my signature in the work. It does seem as though I vary a lot. Glad you think this is a good thing!
And, sometimes Life is Beautiful with Johnny Stecchino! Okay, now I'm wandering off...
Good choices for starters. Good luck at the open studios.
Jean
How I'd love to walk right through that terra cotta colored doorway into your studio.
Your titles are as unique as your work. And that's saying something.
And doesn't the energy of all those footsteps in your space just make you feel inspired.
Of course you'll pull it off. Like you pull prickly pear hairs out of your fingers.
We had a gigantic PP cactus that would not be diminished. Every time we took it out, a tiny piece came back and regenerated itself.
Couldn't touch it or be near it without the hairs like fiberglass embedding themselves in your skin.
Hope your welcome mat is trampled. Nicely.
Thank you, Jean! I really appreciate your visiting and commenting. I'll be thinking of you.
Hello Bonnie!
Your words are like a cup of warm, fragrant and tummy satisfying prickly pear tea.
I do wish you could be here. It's a good time of the year for Tucson. But, I know that you'll be here in spirit. I'll know when I see something sparkle out of the corner of my eye.
Yes, you are psychic. I do have a small sticker in my thumb from a recent harvest...Have you taught your pp a lesson and harvested some of its fruit? They are tenacious things!
The "Mighty Vole..." what a great title. Happy hunting, Melinda. The painting is beautiful;, as is the print. Those colors!
Hi Don,
I'm glad you like the might vole. When I painted this, it kinda reminded me of Mighty Mouse. Then, I realized that voles do live around the prickly pear cactus.
Thank you so much. It is one of my favorites.
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