Showoff

I can't help it--apples just seem like they're people. It must be the roundness that makes me think of a head or body. This one looks like he's showing off as he stands in the spotlight. I almost expect him to toss out his arms to each side as he looks up into the light... Trust me, on the other side this little guy had a big grin! I found it tough to compose with a single round object, but I believe this one works. The shadow helps, and I love the glisten.

On Arches 300 lb. cold press paper.

Champagne Shadows

A small orchard in the hills near Santa Fe, Dixon Apple Farm, is famous for its Champagne Apples. I became the happy possessor of one bag full of these beauties and have been enjoying the delight of an apple a day (at least), and anticipate baked apples for dessert tonight.

In the last few days, I've been painting them, too. Apples aren't easy. They're so iconic. So simple. So round. And you know most people expect an apple to be red.

I cast a strong light on one, overlapped a few others, raised one up and then looked down on it. I even played with a starry sky behind one. I have six next to my elbow, and of the lot this is the only one I'm willing to share right now! But this one finally hit it for me... The orange-yellow made the greenish-yellow apple snap. The shadows behaved themselves. And the slice beamed up, creating a nice area of much needed contrast and some interesting shapes.

The only problem is, my subject matter is almost all gone now!I can't resist them.