This Lime That Lemon

acrylic on gallery wrapped 16" by 20" canvas SOLD

I had cut these lemons to go with some fish we were having, and noticed how beautifully the curves lay together in the red bowl. Luckily no one disturbed them and I was able to begin painting them a few days ago. A lot of times some of my best still life possibilities get eaten.

Cherry Jubilee original small still life painting by Polly Jones

6 inch square on gallery wrapped canvas. SOLD

I haven't done 6 inch sized work in a while and somehow was thinking it would take less time to do this smaller size. That's not the case so far, in fact I think it took longer than a larger one. I kept going through a love/hate relationship with this painting. Finally I was able to resolve it by faking the color of the cherries a bit, making them a warmer red characteristic of the less ripe ones. I just don't like that dark red that a ripe cherry turns.

I love how cherries are special because they're one of the few fruits left that are seasonal in their availability. I know I don't have many chances to eat them and that seems to make them taste a little sweeter.

Of Pieridae and the Language of Flowers

18 inches by 24 inches acrylic and mixed media collage on cradled wooden artist panel.

I had posted this one, almost finished, about a month ago here. The ellipse of the middle vase was driving me crazy and I wasn't happy with the circle grid yet. Sometimes it really helps to let a piece sit for a while.

I have used a variety of images in order to express the delight I find in exploring ideas about transcendence through the humble still life. Here I've juxtaposed an iris and daffodil from the back yard with a painted tray, circles from a reproduction of Giotto paintings from the life of Jesus and moth and butterfly imagery. I wanted my use of color to express a joy and something like awe that is part of this process. (for me) Pieridae is one of the wing patterns for distinguishing different families of moths and butterflies.