Beauty Inside SOLD
6" x 6" watercolor
Kiwi's are ugly little beasts aren't they? Well, at least on the outside. I wonder what in the world possessed the first person to slice that hairy brown *thing* up and take a peek?
Hunger induced madness? Pending zombie apocalypse? Or just plain old curiosity?
I don't know, but I would have loved to have seen the look on their face when they saw the beauty trapped inside. Because they are beautiful once you slice them open.
Jewel bright and shining with all those lovely unorganized, yet sort of organized black seeds. And that gorgeous semi-transparency that lets sunlight flood in and just sparkle and glow.
*sigh*
Yessss, precioussss. The inside of a kiwi is very pretty indeed.
This is technically my first official still life*. And I rather like it. It was a lot of fun to do and I can see the value in painting subjects that I don't paint very often. It forced me to do some experimenting with color mixing and value.
And probably most important, it gave me a chance to really push myself and see how much drama and interest I could come up with when painting something other than a human face.
So, keep an eye out for future still lifes from me. I'm already thinking of what I should paint next. Ideas anyone? ;)
* I credit two artists for inspiring me with a desire to paint a still life. The first, Kim Rempel, for her lovely brushwork, exciting color combinations, simple-yet-striking composition, and her ability to turn something very ordinary into a thing of beauty. And the second, Carol Marine, for much of the same things that I admire about Kim's work. This painting was created in Carol's honor for her birthday at the Daily Paintworks Challenge.
Oh Crystal, how I love your dark values in watercolor, so rich, love this, as well as the last "Pointed Conversation" painting!
ReplyDeleteAwesome one, Crystal. Look forward to seeing more still lifes from you. Enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteThis is so well done! The colors are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh - this reminds me of Carries Creations, her watercolour still lives are also utterly amazing! This is simply incredible and as much as I always LOVE your portraits (the best I have seen) I am so glad you are experimenting with new subjects too! Hmmm... a suggestion you say? Okay. How about something glass? :0)
ReplyDeleteThis is a gorgeous piece of art Crystal and it is really nice to see something a little different from you but still with that unmistakable Crystal Cook style :) Ideas? Glass, polished wood, silver or all together would be superb!
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful Crystal, I'll be watching for your next still life. I love painting still lifes, all of the info you need and nothing moves, ha. I cut into a kiwi a while back and the center was heart shaped, how cool is that? It was Valentines day and I posted it on facebook. Have a great day.
ReplyDeletestunning, stunning, stunning!! i need a thesaurus, i need new adjectives!! this is beyond beautiful crystal and your words are as well! bravo!
ReplyDeleteI think I've always taken kiwi for granite and wouldn't have thought to paint one. I love how you've painted this lovely little fruit. As for ideas I'm having the same problem so I'm no help.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Good enough to eat, my friend!
ReplyDeleteThis iswonderful - the colors are so luminous
ReplyDeleteWonderful artwork you create!
ReplyDeleteCrystal, what can't you paint:) This is simply unbelievable. Love the glowing colors and the message of the painting. Can't wait to see you do more still life paintings!!!
ReplyDeleteTis what's on the inside that matters, isn't it (I have to hope so anyway :) Crystal, you certainly have a gorgeous painting here! I was already so impressed with your portraits of children and who knew you would be so good at kiwi portraits! They really are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful kiwis!. They are really cool. Yes, I agree they are like green bright gems. I love the brightness of the brown skin with hairs bright, and the fresh juice that escapes from the center when cut. Delicious!. Great work friend Crystal!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Well, your first still life is pretty fantastic!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, you did a smashing job of capturing the glowing transparency! Can't wait to see what you cut open next. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to believe you haven't been painting still lifes your whole life when looking at this - it's delightful!
ReplyDeleteYour musings about the origins of the first person(s) to try a kiwi go through my mind about many foods, including lobster and many shellfish. Thank goodness for some risk-taking in life, right?
Crystal, your kiwis are so unbelievably luscious - looking. I can't wait for more still-life paintings.
ReplyDeleteOh Crystal..its no wonder your "first still life" is as fantastic as your portraits...so very well done. Love it! please do more!
ReplyDeleteCrystal, this is stunning. Love this kiwi, the colours are so clean and sparkly! xx
ReplyDeleteI love kiwi's and as artists I think we all look at it with an artists' eye. It is a beautiful fruit when opened but you truly captured the beauty of the fruit on canvas!! I look forward to your next still life.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous piece Crystal. What sets you apart from all the other watercolorists are the beautiful saturated colors and full values, not to mention your fabulous drawing skills.
ReplyDeleteYou are fabulous! And first time up to bat no less! But you've put in your time and you've got all the skills and experince behind you. Crystal, how you make your work GLOW and sparkle right off the page is a thing of utter beauty. Those kiwi's are killin' me! I'm happy I can be of inspiration to you because - and don't mean to get all sappy here - you have truly inspired me since I first came across your blog. Definitely with your pro, fresh work but also with your words. Many an evening I have come up to the computer feeling very frustrated but then I"ve read one of your posts and you've helped me put things into perspective. Huzzah! ; ) Cheers!
ReplyDeletep.s. I'd love to see you paint a pomegranate! ; )
Super stuff.. Still lifes are always fun. I also do a little still life sometime and I know its great fun. And I love kiwis. :)
ReplyDeleteHi,Crystal,
ReplyDeleteThe work is brilliant and the post talks of the very important truth...I love them all. Thank you.
Cheers,Sadami
Beautiful, they look like they are glowing, very pretty colours
ReplyDeleteCrystal, this is one of my favorites of yours. How in the world did you paint the kiwi with watercolors? They frustrate me to no end, I tell ya. You. Are. AWESOME!!! I am back from my blog break, and I wanted to stop by to see what you've been up to ;P
ReplyDeleteTasty and juicy - love the colors and textures!
ReplyDeleteexcellent crystal
ReplyDeleteI am in graduate school, and my time is very limited. I didn't have time to edit my essay myself, so I decided to look for a professional service online. Proofers was the first company I came across, and their prices were very affordable.
ReplyDelete