© Paula Pertile
8x10, Prismacolors and Polychromos on Stonehenge paper
I think I'm back to my old self, drawing-wise.
This is what I do best - simple still lifes, with a clean background. I went on a bit of a "draw about" (like a walkabout, except with drawing - and yes, I just made that up) there for a while, and scratched a couple of itches. Its good to get out of your comfort zone now and then and try new things, because that's how you discover new ideas, techniques, or approaches to things. But then its nice to take whatever you learned and come back to your real self.
I noticed there for a while I was drawing things with a muted palette, and I was struggling with some of the "out of my comfort zone" pieces. I started to wonder what was up with that. Was I depressed? Were my eyes going? Was it the lighting on my drawing table? Were the planets lined up funny, or was Mercury in Retrograde for a way long time? Or what?
I think (no, I know) sometimes we artists have 'off' periods, where we're not as productive, or things aren't turning out as brilliantly as we would like. Sure, inspiration takes a holiday sometimes, but also, if you just sit down and work every day, and keep doing something, it all comes back around eventually.
I think I'll take this idea of an un-still life and run with it. I knew I wanted to draw these figs, but didn't know what I wanted to do with them. I was trying to create an interesting arrangement, and it just came to me to have them floated up to the top of the page. I started this idea of flying food a while back with my "Pulling Up Roots" piece, then for whatever reason didn't keep going with it.
By: Paula Pertile,
on 7/16/2012
Blog: Drawing a Fine Line (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: purple, figs, levitating food, black grape, Add a tag
Its been a while since I've drawn figs.
I bought a little basket of them last week, and left them on the counter overnight. The next morning they were covered in mold spots already. Ewww, super gross. I actually thought about drawing them that way, but decided against it and just tossed them.
The other day I bought some new ones, and this time put them in the frig. They've survived long enough for me to take some reference photos and start this ~
This is a fun one. I'm back to my idea of levitating food. I don't know why I'm so taken with that idea, but I am.
This is 8 x 10, and so far Polychromo Purple and Prismacolor Black Grape. On Stonehenge.
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By: Katie Fries,
on 11/18/2010
Blog: Eat Their Words (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: ice cream, Peachtree Publishers, gluten-free, figs, Three Scoops and a Fig, Sara Laux Akin, Add a tag
Blog: Eat Their Words (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: ice cream, Peachtree Publishers, gluten-free, figs, Three Scoops and a Fig, Sara Laux Akin, Add a tag
"Sofia dumped the little pear-shaped figs into a bowl on the table. She dished out more helpings of gelato, each with three scoops and a fig. " - Three Scoops and a Fig, Sara Laux Akin
I grew up in a town that was once covered in fig orchards (now many of those orchards have become housing developments and shopping malls), but I have to be honest, I don't think I'd actually eaten a fresh fig until sometime last year. I feel embarrassed to even admit this but its true. I wasn't sure what to do with them so I sliced them and put them in yogurt for the kids. That seemed about right.
Sara Laux Akin's Three Scoops and a Fig
presents a similar but tastier option for those looking to use up a fig surplus. Sofia, Akins' young protagonist, comes from a family of cooks. Her family owns an Italian restaurant and her older siblings contribute their own specialties to the family dinner table. On the occasion of her grandparents' anniversary, Sofia just wants to help her family as their prepare a special dinner but she keeps getting in the way. Unnoticed by her busy family, Sofia decides to slip away with a bowl of gelato for breakfast. When an errant fig from the fig tree drops into Sofia's bowl she discovers a new treat--and a way to contribute to the family dinner. Illustrator Susan Kathleen Hartung's muted colors and depiction of a close knit, multi-generational family infuse the story with warmth.Three Scoops and a Fig includes extras--a recipe for an "Italian Flag Sundae" and a glossary of Italian words and phrases used in the story. Although the Italian Flag Sundae sounded delicious, I decided to stick with Sofia's original recipe.
Sofia's Fig Tree Sundae
Ingredients:
- vanilla ice cream
- figs (fresh if you can find them)
1. Scoop ice cream into bowls. In order to stay true to the book I used three (small) scoops in each child's bowl.
2. Slice your figs. I must confess, I used dried figs for this particular recipe. I had been sitting on this review until after Halloween and by the time I was ready to post it I couldn't find fresh figs anywhere. Fig season, apparently, is very short (I feel this is something I should have known, having grown up in Fresno). Dried figs, however, were easy to find at the grocery store.
Serve and eat qu
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By: Paula Pertile,
on 10/10/2010
Blog: Drawing a Fine Line (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: frames, figs, Add a tag
Two little fig drawings, each 5 x 5 inches, in these cool fancy frames I found online. These are actually two of the more understated frames - some are really over the top! I plan to do art that will go well with them, if I can manage to figure out what that is, exactly.
The fun of ordering these is that you don't know exactly what you're going to get - since they're all a special price, they can't guarantee any specific style or color, so you just take your chances. I ordered 20, and 18 of them I'm completely happy with - the other two are sort of a snooze. Most are some variation of gold or gold leaf, some are brown, or brown with gold, etc. So it will be fun to now fit the art to the frame. Some are just begging for a piece of chocolate I think. No problem there!
The other thing was they didn't come with glass, so I had to have that cut special. Still, they were a deal I think. Now if I can just sell them ...
Oh, the figs are both Prismacolors on Stonehenge.
8 Comments on Figs, frames, last added: 10/13/2010
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LOVE the weightless figs, the unstill life concept and also your cat comments.
You are an inspiration and a hoot!!
This is wonderfully creative! Love it! I get the art slump, as I am also in that uncontrollable area right now, and my cats are definitely keeping me up at night, too...maybe it is Mercury!
What a fun drawing!!! You give me more inspiration to keep plugging along. My kitty (and my boys) are all taking turns getting me up early as well. Maybe its a sign I need to draw earlier than later in the day :)
I absolutely love this piece Paula! That floaty business is very 'you' and so is your rendering technique - love the way you mix your colours!!!!
Looking forward to seeing the next one. Hope the nap was wonderful - I am a big fan of the afternoon siesta. :-)
Great piece with the figs, and I love the pulling roots too!.Welcome 'back' after your drawabout!