Why this, why now? Well, because I'm in the midst of producing a bunch of black and white images for an illustration job and I NEEDED COLOR! This sketch of a bowl of oranges, limes, lemons and a tangerine or two dates from my April trip to Santa Barbara. I was staying with an amazing, talented, and accomplished businesswoman who, on top of all that aforementioned good stuff, had practically a whole citrus orchard in her own yard! Can you imagine? Not only does she have access each year to the heavenly fragrance of orange and lime blossom, but she gets the fruit, too! Every day! For breakfast, for lunch, for dinner!
Do those Californians know how lucky they are? I doubt it.
But then there are the recent, tragic Santa Barbara fires. Not lucky. Not funny.
On that note, once more into to the fruit bowl, dear friends, once more.
Oh this is just wonderful. I love the way you've left some areas uncoloured.
Posted by: Wendy Shortland | June 06, 2009 at 07:46 PM
Laura - this the art I love best - your fluid and calligraphic combinations of pencil and watercolour. Especially when you do a still life involving food. It's just fabulous!
Posted by: Katherine | June 07, 2009 at 05:26 AM
This is really nice. I agree with Wendy about leaving some areas without paint. You have such a nice loose style.
Posted by: Donna | June 07, 2009 at 10:22 AM
Quel beau traitement de la couleur! Très rafraichissant.
Posted by: wagonized | June 07, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Oh, my, that IS luscious! I'm so glad you needed color, and shared it with us!
Posted by: Cathy (Kate) Johnson | June 07, 2009 at 12:03 PM
This is Laura at her best! What a wonderful colorful refreshing piece!
Posted by: Linda M. | June 07, 2009 at 11:08 PM
Ah - it does me good to see a Laurelines sketch once in a while! Glad to hear that you're working so hard on your other project, but I look forward to decompressing with you later over wine - in Brittany or Touraine.....
Posted by: Casey | June 10, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Your paintings are beautiful, fresh, clean, colorful and wonderful. Your information on walking certainly explains why you have become one of the Sketchercise group. I just joined and came over to visit your blog. I will be back to spend more time with your lovely art.
Oh by the way, I do feel lucky that I have fruit trees in my front yard.
Posted by: pat | June 10, 2009 at 02:57 PM
just gorgeous and somehow very life affirming.
Posted by: maggie | June 10, 2009 at 07:44 PM
It's beautiful, so loose and fresh!
Posted by: Cathy | June 11, 2009 at 04:01 AM
Katherine said it all. Fantastic!
Posted by: Robyn | June 11, 2009 at 05:46 AM
I love it! Your sketches & paintings are so dynamic!
Posted by: Encre | June 13, 2009 at 09:11 PM
Thank you VERY much, one and all. Nice to have your comments when things are going a bit haywire in life!
Posted by: Laura | June 14, 2009 at 11:35 AM
The watercolor sketches are so lively. Are you still using the Akashiya Koi watercolor brushes for this watercolor sketch and for those on your earlier posts?
annie
Posted by: annie | June 14, 2009 at 06:59 PM
The tangerines look so delicious and the painting is so loose and fluid, I adore it. Magnifique! XOX
Posted by: Maggie | June 14, 2009 at 09:51 PM
What an amazing sketch! Beautiful colors. Inspiring.
Posted by: Mellanie | June 18, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Laura!
Gestern hab ich Sie im Internet gefunden. Ich komme von Ihren wunderbaren Bildern nicht mehr los! Ich versuche mich auch im Aquarellieren. Vielleicht übersetzt jemand aus dem Deutschen.
I find your pictures wunderful!
You inspire me!
Greetings from Vienna/Austria!
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa Rastl | July 07, 2009 at 03:57 AM