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
