” Les Fauves “- The Wild Beasts. A group of modern artists of the early 20th Century. Those wild beasts played with strong color and painterly brush work.
I started this late in the day, outside during the workshop I took here a few weeks ago. The colors reminded me of the Fauvist movement.
I like the top two thirds of the one above this but haven’t found my bliss in the foreground. I’m going to walk away and move on to something new.
Like identifying these vegetables?/gourds?/cucumbers?/ that we carried at the VI Farmers Coop this past weekend.
Since no one was able to really identify it by spelling, it shall forever be known to me as the phonetic vegetable ” Kor-riley”. That’s the best I could extrude from a few local farmers who might have even pronounced it three different ways.
Bitter melon is what it’s known as in Chinese cooking. They sure were the oddities of the market and despite their curious appearance, no one wanted to buy any. Even the vegetable kindgom has wild beasts, it seems.
Now it looks like we’ll have to monitor the statues too, as this fellow will barely pass the newly enacted Modesty for Statues Statute:
Wild Beasts are everywhere, so keep moving and ducking and painting.
Tags: Bitter Melon, Fauvism, Painting Outside, St. Croix oil painter, Strange Vegetables
Asheville: The North West of The South East 
April 21, 2009 at 10:29 am |
When I was there in February I bought a bag of bark from an old lady hanging outside of office Depot. I asked what it was and she said “Spice”.
It tasted like weak allspice. None of the continentals knew what it was so I asked a local I knew and she said “Spice”.
That cleared the air. I still have it back home in Midland.
Now if you needing a little bark inspiration I could loan it out to you.
April 21, 2009 at 1:32 pm |
I like the jungly, islandy feel of this painting, Bonnie. It feels comfortable and homey.
And the vegetable is very cool. If I hadn’t still had a few things left from our last visit to the farmer’s market, I’d have gone out and bought some….
Will definitely head out there this coming Saturday!
April 21, 2009 at 2:17 pm |
From the bitter melon link you provided, it looks like the “Kor-riley” you heard was the Crucian version of the Indian name “karela”. Perhaps they would have sold better when green and less bitter. Sounds like an interesting thing to try in a stir-fry someday. On the other hand, they sure are photogenic in their riper yellow state! Maybe I need some…
I agree that your painting is lovely — lush with color and shapes. While I know what its like when it is time to move on… still I believe this one, even the bottom third, will win its way into your heart someday.
April 21, 2009 at 3:15 pm |
Les Fauves vs Les Enfants Sauvages: Who wins?
April 21, 2009 at 3:34 pm |
I agree witth you about the top 2/3 of the painting being the strongest part. I think all that is needed to help the bottom is a “small” abount of more interest and a few strokes of a warmer color. Wish we could paint landscapes together. That way we could console with a drink or two. Person with th suckest painting drinks for free.
April 21, 2009 at 8:57 pm |
Very Gauguin!
April 22, 2009 at 1:18 am |
Wreggie- bark covers many ingredients as does the term ” bush tea.”. You takes your chances when living here.
Terry-look who left a comment right above yours. He’s got some bark for you too.
Don- you did your homework on this vegetable and right you are. They would absolutely make a great subject for your photos. And thanks for the artists’ ending to your comment.
You always have just the right thing to say.
Noel-La Sauvage Superoire, bien sur.
Bill- since I’m an alcohol lightweight, you’d have the unfair disadvantage. I agree about a little more brushwork. Maybe during the torpor of summer when I have nothing else to do and it’s too hot to start a new one.
Jala- Gauguin lite! But thanks for that.
April 22, 2009 at 4:32 pm |
Hi BONNIE…
I see Bill convinced you to move into more landscapes!! Love the color and brushwork as always…
I saw that statue and was immediately thinking you were going to start doing still lifes… My art teacher is constantly bringing in those *%$# statues and including them in with fruits and flowers and beads and stuff. I suppose there is a reason… but… I’d rather paint other things.
Be well Bonnie…. I do so enjoy reading about your adventures!!!
April 23, 2009 at 12:25 am |
Bonnie, um…. that statue dude looks like his non-modest parts are hidden by a marijuana plant. Isn’t there a Statute for that too?
I like your Fauvism landscape. Whilst clinging to the disclaimer of “what do I know about landscapes?”, I think the foreground is indeed in need of some more Fauvi-ish brush strokes, similar to the fun ones you have at the top upper two thirds. Perhaps also reflect a touch of the greens, too?
April 23, 2009 at 12:29 am |
Discovered your blog today…fabulous paintings and photos.
Loved living on St. Croix so this is a nice spot to reminesce.
Happy Earth Day.
April 23, 2009 at 11:14 am |
Such a dynamic state, that moving on thing! Tinged with defeat as well as learning. All I know for sure is that your next moves will be freer whether it’s revisiting this canvas or on a new one. Yeah, it’s me–philosopher photographer producer of those exquisite (and not so) move on moments.
April 25, 2009 at 5:00 pm |
Fauvorite? Hee! Hee! Sorry you did not find your bliss in the foreground, but if I remember well, nothing much was going on in the photograph. Maybe you should add something totally incongruous…
April 26, 2009 at 1:27 am |
P.S. Just realized that’s the same bitter melon that Indians cook with (my husband is from India). I find it too bitter to eat at all, but they seem to like it.
April 26, 2009 at 12:01 pm |
Thanks everyone for the helpful comments:
Marian- Karin Jurick just posted a statue challenge on her Different Strokes blog. I like seeing how everyone interprets the same subject.
Nava- thanks for that suggestion and you are right- that’s just what it needs. I was blanking out on it. Have to put it away for a while since I’ve poked at it too much and it feels like it needs to ” heal ” before I hit it again.
Se’ Lah- thanks and glad you took a moment to leave a note.
It’s great to read about a place you used to live, through someone else’s eyes.
Pat- twas a time I wouldn’t post anything that wasn’t ” done ” to my taste. But sometimes you need a crossing guard to help you get across that blasted intersection that’s got you blocked.
Nathalie- good recall- the photo was blah and was too far away to be a useful reference. I’m going to consider this practice work, and I think, close the case on it. Seems the trails’ gone cold.
Jala- I’ve been told that they need to be eaten before they turn yellow. Green or orange means they’re less bitter.
Since living here, my taste buds seem to crave and want hot food, spicy food and even bitter. Environment? Influence?
Both?
April 27, 2009 at 8:32 pm |
Hey Bonnie,
I like your landscape. And whatever you do, don’t let Bill come and paint with you.
Maybe you can add some of those ugly vegetables at the bottom of your landscape….and some people running from the market dropping them because they are so ugly. You were brave to purchase them.
I’m back from vacation and never thought I’d be bringing the 90 degree weather home with me. Yuck. It’s too early to be this hot here.
Looking forward to seeing you (sorta) soon. xoxox