Indiana Heirloom Tomatoes

I took a week off from my blog to drive up to Indiana to see my family.  It felt like fall!  Lows in the 40’s and 50’s at night 70’s in the day.  Was a niece relief from the rainy hot and humid weather we have been having in Florida!  This sketch is of heirloom tomatoes from my mom’s garden.  There is nothing like a home grown tomato just picked from the vine, sliced with a pinch of salt.  Pair that with green beans cooked with bacon and new potatoes, and corn on the cob.  All from the garden of course. And, don’t forget the homemade bread and butter.  A piece of pie for dessert is nice too!  A friendof my mom’s had given her some beautiful sour cherries picked from her tree, therefore we had to make a pie.   The perfect summer Indiana dinner!

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Kyoto Sonae-Mono (Offering)

Kyoto, Japan is one of my favorite places on earth. It is a place I long to go to again and again. This painting Kyoto Sonae-mono is from an offering I saw at one of the many temples in this lovely city. Sonae-mono means offering.

This painting was painted using only 3 primary colors, French Ultramarine Blue, Aureolin Yellow and Permanent Rose, plus an American Journey color called Mint Julep which is semi opaque.  This was a great exercise in mixing  all the color I needed from the basics!

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Bananas on Japanese Box

I have always been fascinated with boxes and containers of the Asian variety.  I have a collection of japanese wooden boxes, bento boxes, rice bowls, wedding baskets, etc...  Living and traveling in Asia was like being a kid in a candy store!  Back home in Florida, I have a small grove of banana plants in my backyard, I picked a bunch and set up this still life on one of my Japanese boxes.

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Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Kung Hei Fat Choi!  Happy Chinese New Year!

This is the year of the snake the sixth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, is meant for steady progress and attention to detail. Chinese wisdom says a snake in the house is a good omen, because your family will not starve.  No problem for those of us in Florida!

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