Read Red all done

Read Red is finished, varnished, and wired - ready for the show next Thursday, Oct 1, and for a trip to NOLA, Nov. 6.

a change is as good as a rest

That's what I drew yesterday morning, before I went out for a run. I felt a strong pull to paint something simple, fresh and uncomplicated.
First I did peaches on a 10x10' canvas, with the basic shapes established and the color roughed in. They are on a silver tray. I didn't get to the ivory handle of the knife yet, but it was a good morning's work.

And here is today's rough in - tomatoes on a cutting board. This is boyscout pocket knife.


I like the tight framing of this better than the peach. The truth is the peach was much smaller than the tomato. We'll see how they turn out in the end. With these, the best part happens on the last day, when I highlight them, creating the juicy glisten.

This is the second pass on this tomato with my grandmother's silver pattern knife. There's will a lot of detail to come on the handle, and (my favorite part) the handle's reflection in the tray.

Read Red

Lettering on the upright books is done.
kicked up some values, worked on the caterpillar and chrysalis, the background drape and the letter 'P'.

Tomorrow working on the reflections in the wood beneath the scarf on the left.

Progress on Read Red

Working on the butterflies and lettering on the books today. I decided to add a butterfly chrysalis and a caterpillar to the mix. I like how it rounds out the theme and the detail and intricacy of these little guys. The caterpillar was munching on my parsley - after she modeled, I set her free.
It's going to be a push, but I hope I can make it. The pattern on the drape will be the deciding factor - not so much how involved it is, but the color - red, which is slow to dry.

Read Red

Today I worked on the butterflies, the hourglass and the bookend's doormouse. The only areas with no paint on them are the right hand handle of the chest, and the pocket watch, which is in front of the upright books. I'm thinking about leaving out the watch and placing the caterpillar there. I am wondering if I can skid in under the wire and have this done by the 20, which is 4 days before the show.

Read Red

I got all the books roughed in, along with the upright and base of the marble bookend on the right. I'm eager to get paint on every bit of the canvas so I can start refining and adding pattern.

Read Red

I started Read Red yesterday with the dark red background. This afternoon I roughed in the drape, which is a saffron yellow Indian scarf. I love the warm saturated color. The scarf has a red pattern I'll be adding towards the end.

All the books are various shades and intensities of red, thus the title. I pulled them from my shelves and they make a kind of commentary on my life. They are books that shaped me.



Today I roughed in the front and top of the chest, and made a vat of gumbo.