WILD BLACKBERRIES

Blackberries ripening in the sun is one of my favorite scents of summer.  When DH and I were newly married and with a brand new baby, we lived in Tacoma, Washington.  There wild blackberries flourished to epidemic proportions in every untended open space.  And since the only income we had was U.S. government soldier pay; free fruit, even if it grew on wicked brambles, was welcome.  Just a few steps from our apartment near Fort Lewis were all the blackberries I could stand to pick.  The fresh ones went on cereal and ice cream and then there was homemade blackberry pie—wow!

Most of my paintings are inspired by vacations or pleasant memories.  So when I came across photos I took of blackberry bushes in the lush green forests of northern Washington I decided to use them as a subject of a painting.

I worked out a composition sketch and transferred it to heavy watercolor paper.  I masked out the berries and then washed the whole area with shades of green.

Then I began to add layers of darker greens and browns to bring out the details of the thick undergrowth.

After bringing the moss, branches and leaves into focus I removed the masking from the berries and went to work on them.

The final painting size 11x14 inches

It’s always fun to see how complementary colors such as red and green seem to pop when placed next to each other and how analogous colors such as blue and green are harmonious and soothing.

 

I only wish there were a way to add the smell of ripeness and the sounds of humming bees and bird song.

You can find this and many more of my watercolors for sale on my Etsy site.

And now a poem by one who shares my appreciation of ----

Wild Blackberries

Ripening delicacies…

with a spectrum that varies 

in a thorn laden thicket

of luscious wild blackberries

Growing among tall 

free growing weeds 

strewn with the remains 

of rain soaked rotting trees

The splendid seedy delectables

are gathered with a restrained squeeze

cautious not to inflict trauma...

placed into a cupped palm with ease

Playful patches of sunlight

filter through swaying shade

dancing… sporadically, intensifying

then tending to dim and fade

Focusing on a twined

vine… suddenly becoming aware 

of aliveness… exhibiting an

intent-fully territorial stare 

With a backward step 

it has become quite clear

Now is time to conclude 

berry picking and get out of here

7/1/2010 

Theresa Ann Moore