Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Onions 'n Oil 8 x 8 oil

I like onions.  I like to paint onions.  You might have started to notice.  They are sensual, and strong, and shapely, and subtle, and lovely pieces of everyday life.  They add elegance and some sophistication to almost anything you pick up and place nearby; here an oil bottle and a jar of spice.  

This is a backlit study I painted with my class;  cool up-facing planes, and juicy, warm shadows; and the hot glow of the oil bottle. Combine the three; and it's that wonderful cooking smell you love to come home to.... 

Did you ever see the movie "Always"?  Richard Dreyfus, Holly Hunter, with cameo by Audrey Hepburn.  It's a beautiful movie about love, grief, hope -  wrapped up in a story about the men and women who fight fires from the air.  Holly Hunter invites a romantic interest over for dinner.  She buys a boatload of takeout; then sautes onions and oil, tosses the takeout into her own serving dishes... dinner date success.  Okay, a bit of deceit; but my point is that onions and oil are a wonderful combo to cook... or to paint. 

2 comments:

  1. I'm so with you on the onion, and in fact view the red ones as my friends. The yellow ones, if not vidalia, can be more pungent. The red ones are lovely and never disappoint. Plus they add beautiful color to your dish. I may not be a painter, but I'm all about creating food art. You eat with your eyes as well as with your palate.
    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  2. Jody, I am enjoying your writing almost as much as your paintings! They are both so thoughtful and "dead on"! Keep 'em coming!

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