I have been thinking about how much I love summer. Light weight clothing, sunshine (for us mixed with huge thunderstorms), BBQ's and S'mores, painting outside, surrounding field crops near our home, community swimming pool full of splashing kids, trees chock full of dense leaves and song birds, out door art shows, inviting white wicker chairs, open windows, and our wonderful gurgling porch fountain...
This little posting is the first in my list of favorite
SUMMER ACTIVITIES.
Number 1
SUMMER ACTIVITIES.
Number 1
FARMER'S MARKETS
Half a mile from our home is this colorful market. Just love to go there. I am not sure if it is the wonderful fresh fruit and vegetables to choose from, or the very quaint, European market styled red umbrellas that cast a rosy glow over everything.
Behind the scenes of a market can be as interesting as the front. Those gigantic sunflowers make me smile....
My painterly interpretation of summer's many markets...complete with little floral bouquets wrapped in lacy
paper doilies. This is a large painting and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute creating it. Available on website or through RiverView Gallery in Maryland.
Four years ago I participated in an outdoor art show in western Maryland, up in the scenic high hill country. Near my booth was this amazing market with its blazing oranges, rusts, and greens.
Amazon sized pumpkins, stacked corn stalks-squirrels darting in and out, from the awning hung bronzed dried corn, everything autumnal sprawled every which way. Yes the building was a beautiful shade of AUBERGINE!
Now if only one or two fruits seems recognizable, you are probably correct.
Bali is the setting for this open air market.
No brightly colored umbrellas to protect sellers
from the scorching sun.
Cement and dirt to put one's wares and produce on.
Rustic, hand-woven baskets filled with fruits
and vegetables which to me considered EXOTIC.
So many colors. So many textures. So many tastes.
So much to experience.
I love the way this smiling woman's green head scarf matches the green of the plantains.
Patiently she will stay in this position from EARLY morning until afternoon.
Patiently she will stay in this position from EARLY morning until afternoon.
Aren't these baskets wonderful. Weaving baskets is part of the economy and provides a minimal wage. This woman is sorting very hot peppers, a key ingredient in delicious Balinese food.
Always my favorite, the fragrant, brilliant colors and textures of cut blossoms.
Many of these flowers are used to make DAILY offerings to the GODS.
Others are used in cooking and adornment.
Many of these flowers are used to make DAILY offerings to the GODS.
Others are used in cooking and adornment.
Along the side of a winding narrow road we saw this dilapidated wagon. This is a typical
"market" on wheels found in India. Corn is roasted right on the spot, providing a tasty snack or dinner for a passer by.
"market" on wheels found in India. Corn is roasted right on the spot, providing a tasty snack or dinner for a passer by.
One does not need to go half way round the world to enjoy an open air market. But it surely is fun and informative. These women are very proud of their fruit and vegetables; just like the energetic 80 years young woman, selling her produce near our home.
The following are pages from my sketchbook inspired by markets around the world.
These paintings are in an 8 x 8 brown paper sketchbook. All are painted with gouache.
Definitely, summer markets are at the top of my favorite summer activities.
What is at the top of yours?
Oh..I'm so with you on the summer farmer's markets. And your painted renditions - are absolutely lovely. Perfectly colorful illustrations of this particular piece of summer!!!
ReplyDeleteYour paintings make me smile. They are whimsical and full of color which I love. What could be better than a farmer's market?
ReplyDeleteMarkets are one of my very favorite things to photograph. I adore the paintings and would love to see your whole sketchbook of them.
ReplyDelete