Saturday, August 18, 2012

LOST A PEAR



I lost a pear, but gained a pomegranate! ha ha

That round shape second to left is a pear (in the photo) but it stopped looking like a pear bottom and more like a pomegranate so that's what I made it :)  Sometimes you just have to go with the flow of what's happening.

The beauty of watercolor is the light-filled areas.  I was quickly losing those.  Fortunately for me, I had a new tool in my kitbag:  Daniel Smith's watercolor ground.  It's white and you can cover anything with it so...I covered the tablecloth with it.  It says you have to let it cure 24-72 hours before painting on it but I put it on pretty thinly and will go back to the tablecloth and add some color there.  It adds a pretty nice texture, too, which will work as the tablecloth.  Then, done with this one. 

My brother went in for another procedure yesterday afternoon.  Instead of putting in 1 more stent in his arteries, they put in 3.  He said it was very painful.  For my brother to say that, it means it was beyond belief painful.  I don't want to ever go through this.  My cholesterol is high and I've ignored it.  Perhaps it's time to start thinking about my heart and health again.  So many of my mother's sisters are having major health issues; my brother has had a heart attack and now is having stents put in; my sister doesn't look healthy but won't go to the doctor. 

Take care of yourselves!!  And have a good weekend :)

17 comments:

Christiane Kingsley said...

Rhonda,
I am sorry to hear about your brother's painful medical procedure. Yes, indeed, we have to take good care of ourselves even though we often think that we are too busy to do that:-(
Thank you for the great tip of the watercolor ground! That's super. And, I love your pomegranate...and the pears:-)
Have a super weekend.

RH Carpenter said...

Thank you so much, Christiane :) I'll let you know how the watercolor ground works out - just something I thought I'd try to add texture or bring back whites, etc.

renate said...

Hello Rhonda:) Despite the nasty things with your brother you have still humor. I find that handsome. That proves that you are a very strong woman.
Not go to the doctor while you actually do know that that must, is a very well-known phenomenon. Think to your health and certainly your cholesterol is very important.
I hope you keep have fun in painting in spite of everything. And well ... 1 peer more or less, there are worse things in the world:)
Take care!

Pam Johnson Brickell said...

Yes, art therapy!! Healing prayers for your brother and health prayers for you! My cholesterol is creeping up, too. Perhaps we can spur each other on with good food and exercise :) Exercise..... hmmmmm. It's a wonder I know how to spell it! Love that you can keep your humor.... so necessary in life!

Teresa Palomar Lois said...

Rhonda, love it! when I saw you previous step I was wondering how the pears would be able to compete with that background but girl you've done it, they are luscious and the cast shadow looks amazing too, in fact everything works great together, you did great with this piece, will love to see you experimenting more with that DS ground :)

Sorry to hear about your brother's procedure, please go to the doctor if you think something ain't right, heart issues are scary, I want you to feel great and be healthy! and I know you will do anything it takes, you always do [[[huuuuug]]]

debwardart said...

Trying to come up with a witicism about the pear and pomegranate but ... oh well! Good save and I like this one a lot. Have only used DS ground once and didn't care for it but that was on a board, will have to try it again.

Jeanette Jobson said...

Lovely rich colours in the pears, they just glow. I haven't used the DS watercolour ground, but it sounds like a good plan when you want to change things.

I hope your brother recovers well, few medical procedures are pleasant and unfortunately none of us attention to what our bodies (and doctors) are telling us until we end up in life threatening situations.

However, only you will know when the time is right to tackle things.

RH Carpenter said...

Danke, Renate :) Yes, I need to visit my cardiologist just for a check-up but I keep hoping I can lower my cholesterol with diet - hasn't worked yet :(

Thanks, Pam. Exercise and diet - ugh!! Too bad we get old and have to limit so many things we love and do more things we don't love! ha ha

Thanks, Deb, Jeanette and Teresa! Teresa, where have you been??!!? Good to hear from you.

Bruce Sherman said...

Good Morning Rhonda!... Thank you for your visit to my site and kind words of encouragement!

Your pears (and the mystery guest pomegranate) are emerging... as they should... gradually wash upon wash and with brightness.

The new tool is interesting... will check out that myself... I use titanium acrylic white in the same way and the result is brighter colour and tooth to work with!

Good luck and Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruceegipc

Studio at the Farm said...

The D.S. ground sounds interesting - thank you, Rhonda. And DO take care of your health!!!

RH Carpenter said...

Thank you, Bruce and Kathryn, for your comments :) I appreciate so much the well wishes and comments on my work, although I do believe you all are too kind!! ha ha

Anonymous said...

Hi Rhonda. Love your sense of humor about the pear turning into a pomegranate. Still, the painting looks great.

I've used DS watercolor ground with mixed results. I'm trying it now on a small canvas. I painted the DS watercolor ground on it and now am trying watercolor. We'll see...

Good luck to your brother. And make sure to take care of your health too. If my family made money the way we make cholesterol and triglycerides we'd be beyond rich. Take care of yourself Rhonda.

And BTW, I gave you an award a few posts back. Check it out.

Autumn Leaves said...

I think your pears are beautiful, Rhonda. And yes indeed...do not let your heart health fall by the wayside. I hope your brother is feeling a bit better each day.

Caroline Simmill said...

Wow Rhonda a truely beautiful painting, you have captured the washes perfectly in your watercolour painting, well done.

RH Carpenter said...

Thanks so much for your comments on this post, Caroline, Sherry and Carol. Carol, how did I miss that post? I have to go now and see what it is! ha ha

Nick said...

the second pic - maybe not finished to your eye, but perfect to mine!

RH Carpenter said...

Thanks, Nick. Glad you like it :)