Aubergines (and making things complicated)

I can't believe it was a year ago, I was already a month into my watercolor class! Our first homework assignment was to draw a piece a fruit or a vegetable, with light and shadow and a sense of three dimensionality.  I happened to have two eggplant that my dad had picked from their garden, so I went with those.

Once I got started, I realized I was making things more complicated than I really needed to. An apple would have been much simpler! Eggplant are shiny and reflective and I was doing not one but two of them! Why? To show off my "mad skills" at portraying the shiny skin? Prove something to myself? I don't know but I am glad I took the more challenging route. It was more interesting and I love going completely macro on details. That sort of says a lot about me. 

Yes, sometimes I do make things more complicated and challenging than they really need to be ... but often it's just more fun and interesting that way! At 43, why not embrace it? We all have quirks and perhaps we're just designed that way. So, right now, I am just going with it! I am, however, going simplify my life in certain areas, in places that will free me up, to really go for it in the places where I choose to challenge myself, and just revel in those places I like to make things complicated.

Not sure if any of that made sense outside of my own head, but there you have it!

Having said all that, there is a simplicity to this little drawing, don't you think?  ;)

Two Eggplant, graphite on paper 2011

Above all, challenge yourself.

You may well surprise yourself at what strengths you have,

what you can accomplish.

~Cecile Springer

I have been trying to get myself in the fall mood. Difficult when it's still in the 90s here, so I have been making a pin board on Pinterest of my favorite fall images and paintings ... trying to will the weather to cool off!! 

Music almost always helps me get into a season. It creates such a strong sense memory! 

I can't remember if I've shared this before but twenty-some years ago, living in San Diego, my dad came to visit me one fall. We went to Horton Plaza, where I worked (at The Gap), and we went into the Nature Company (remember those stores?) and they were playing this beautiful piano music by John Boswell. We each got cassette and I listened to it all that fall (in between listening to Pink Floyd, Cat Stevens and the Grateful Dead with my roommates.)

Anyway, it still sounds and feels like fall to me. Here is a song from that album, "The Painter." Hope you enjoy it.

Blessings and  light!

Have a beautiful week!

Oh! And I still get eggplant from my dad so any recipe ideas are welcome! :)