The Odd Couple

Why oh why The Odd Couple you might ask? I will share more shortly. But first, in case you’re new, here’s more information. This is a place where, each week, I share my paintings, process, art history, and inspiration. Whether this is your first or millionth visit here, hiya, hello and a warm welcome! I choose a theme to guide my paintings each year. This year’s theme is Vessels, Views and Vistas. If you think your 2024 needs more color, consider subscribing to this weekly blog. When you do, you will also receive a monthly newsletter called “Art In Real Life.” In it, I share news about artwork and art walks. Some I have seen IRL (in real life). Others are from around the world, maybe even near you!? If so, maybe you’ll go see and share what it’s like to see art in real life. Let’s get to this week’s view. OK?

Early This Week

Since it’s Valentine’s Day on Wednesday, I think it might be fun to share this week’s painting a day ahead of time. And, so here goes! You may recall that this year I have been painting a series of still life paintings to include handmade pottery from craftspeople right here in North Carolina. Such as? Well, last week’s painting, titled “More Whimsy,” show’s Suze Lindsay’s whimsical and useful ice cream bowls.

I’m sorry to say I don’t have the name of the potter for this week’s delightful, quirky little pot. I got this little gem when I was at Penland for two months back in 1998. These days, this pot spends its time near my stove and stores toothpicks. I’m always grabbing a toothpick so that I can make sure that cornbread or cake or brownies in the oven are done! Here it is.

Gah! I love this little pot. Sometimes I think it looks as if it has stepped out of a Dr Suess book. Also, I love the way it leans. In fact, it was leaning towards the tomato on the window sill in our kitchen when I realized I had to paint it and them.

The Sketch

Here’s (one of) the sketch(es) I did of these two. They transformed into a couple with each pencil stroke!

Strange Pair

So even though I have never considered matching toothpicks with a tomato, or rather a toothpick holder with a tomato, here it is.

I continue to use a relatively limited palette of colors here. And, I confess that at one point, I longed for Phthalo blue or green. Why? I would have used a smidge (and I mean a teenie smidge) to mix that luscious blue-ish, greenish glaze on the top of the toothpick holder. But I found a solution when I mixed Hansa Yellow with a bit of French Ultramarine Blue and Cerulean Blue. Oh and I continue to love working with lead white paint. It is a subtle and gentle addition to nearly all the colors of that whacky little pot.

This painting is 5×5 inches, painted on panel and a part of a series! And, none of these sa-weet small paintings will be for sale till the series is complete later this spring. So, I hope you enjoy looking here in the meantime.

Have You Noticed Any

What about you gentle reader? Have you noticed any quirky combinations in your kitchen or home or garden? If so, please do tell in the comments below. Thank you for reading here and Happy Valentine’s Day!