Art Inside and Out
“By Chance” – Collage, 4 x 4″ on 8 x 10 Backing
Today I received some swatches from the interiors for the home I’m doing the commission for. I’d describe the colors as pale neutrals, all naturals like sage, light bamboo, and eggshell.
Even though there are no parameters for “what” to paint, the color restrictions narrow down the process somewhat. I don’t want to concentrate on matching the colors. I’ll just want to make sure they are in harmony with the overall scheme. So there’s that.
Meanwhile, I am obsessing over my fall garden. It’s exciting to see all these robust plants growing and already getting to eat the greens, including lettuce. But with some of the other things like the broccoli, cauliflower and lima beans, I’m just having to wait and see. Since we haven’t lived here before (me as an adult!) I’m hoping everything doesn’t freeze before it’s ready. I’m not worried about the beets and rutabagas at all. They look fabulous and are almost big enough to harvest. One rutabaga is ready now, but I’m not ready to cook it, so I’m leaving it in the ground for a few more days until it’s on the menu.
Cabbage, Lettuce, Arugula, Carrots
Beets
L to R – Mustard Greens, Rutabagas, Broccoli
In the middle ground are kale and cauliflower.
The kale, on the left, has been harvested several times and will keep producing.
The cauliflower is about knee high, but no babies yet.
The double box in the very back are lima beans. They are loaded with pods, but they haven’t fattened up yet.
In between there are always the collages. I took a collage break again today. Here’s one, titled “By Chance.” I have a list of titles to help me out when I can’t think of one.
An Artist's Journal 
Hi Martha, your garden looks great!!
Thank you, Joyce! If we lived closer I’d bring you some salad greens or even kale or mustard greens. That’s what is abundant right now.
So many yummy veges in your lovely garden Martha! Wish we had the kind of weather that would allow for me to grow the greens anyways.
Another wonderful collage! Speaking of titles for your artwork…are you familiar with the Title Generator? Check it out if you aren’t – http://noemata.net/pa/titlegen/ . Might come in handy. 🙂
Itaya, I wish you could grow greens where you are. You could have them, but you’d need to build a little cold frame or hoop house to keep them from freezing. They love cool weather! I never could have them in Florida — too hot for them!
I love the title generator. It’s tons of fun. Thanks for sharing that link.
Martha, I am always interested in what you are up to and enjoy seeing your green thumb. Question…..How in the heck do you come up with creative “titles” to your art? Sometimes, that can be as difficult as a frustrating day in the studio. It is like painting….you know when it feels right.
Karin, see Itaya’s link in the previous comment. It’s a fun thing to use for some surprising word combinations that even if they aren’t what you want, they can make you think of others.
My favorite thing to do is read descriptions of novels on Amazon. Especially romantic novels because they are always so over the top! Once in a while a word or phrase will jump out at me and I will copy and save it to my list of potential titles.
I agree that it’s hard sometimes when the pressure’s on to come up with a title immediately — for instance when working on a deadline or trying to get work ready for a gallery. That’s why it’s great to save them up.
Hi I am still enjoying your art so much and the vegetables will be yummy.
Would you consider for a future posting, a step by step of one of your lovely 4 x 4 collages, including the mounting o n the larger size paper. I cannot imagine working that small with papers and it has peaked my curiosity.
I thank you so much for all the inspiration Martha.
Pat q
Pat, that’s an excellent idea. I will put that in a future post. Look for it on Monday.
Glad you’re enjoying the blog!
Hm. I think an artist should have the freedom to choose one or two colors that weren’t mentioned in the palette the customers wish to see. Like darker shades. Or some contrasting hue. I’d regard this choice as a roundabout palette, not meaning to be exclusive. They will be happy about the result! After all, you are the expert.
Oh yes, I agree, Eva! I’m trying very hard not to get all wrapped up in the color swatches. It also helps that they’ve sent me a picture of a large painting that they’ve chosen for another wall in the same room. That painting is very, very loosely based on the color scheme. Just as I want to do.
The room is so pale and high key, I even fantasize about a touch or two of black!
Love seeing photos of your vege garden. It is a holiday week-end here and I am planting spring vegs – pumpkins, a courgette, greens. Too early for tomatoes and beans yet as there is still danger of frost, but must get some corn underway. Summer still to come (I hope!). Good on you getting that commission, I am sure they will be very happy with the result.
Sandra, so exciting to be planting! I love hearing about your garden plans in your climate. I now have to wait until early spring to plant more. We will definitely start earlier next time with some things that can take the occasional possible frost. In the meantime, hoping to stretch these yummies out as long as I can!