Cherries -- Abundance exemplified

Our cherry tree this afternoon
We've almost picked enough
for a pie (4 cups pitted).

I've been painting so hard, that if it weren't for my dog
whimpering every now and then, I might not even get
outside for a whole day. What a pity that would be right
now when the cherry tree is coming into the height of
its glory. True I love it when it's covered with blooms,
but now thick with red, rosy coloured, and still not
ripe yellow cherries, it is so beautiful, I could spend the
day just feasting my eyes on it, and picking its lovely
fruit. The juice runs down your hands and arms as you
pick and its a very sensual experience.

The deep green leaves are so lush. I start thinking
about how stupid we are in this province to cover
up our farm land with cheap housing moving farther and
farther north -- when just this one little fruit tree could
probably yield enough fruit for a whole neighbourhood
to make pie, if we had more people working on it.

Then switching off my political self I imagine paintings of
the leaves and the berries, I can see some old Laura Ashley
fabric I used to own -- a print of cherries and the brilliant
green leaves and wonder where it is. But it's time to get back
to work on my current portrait until the dog hauls me
back out again.

At the Market
acrylic on canvas
24 x 36 inches
Barbara Muir © 2009
(Almost finished. Remember
we were having a conversation
a few days ago about overdoing detail.
I am actually not finished the detail here,
and I have work to do on the subject's
face and hands. I'll be finished
tomorrow and will show you the changes then.
This lady sells vintage quilts, and whatever
your thoughts the details just have to be there.
Now I need more detail on the face, hands,
glasses, hair, and the fabric in the front,
plus more shadow, and highlights to the
degree possible without taking away
from the design of the fabrics.)

Have a noticing-what's-beautiful day!
Happy 4th of July to all my American friends,
and Happy Birthday Marilyn! We miss you.