The tomatoes that gave the ultimate sacrifice several months ago are now immortalized on canvas. It took more than one try. When I first painted the tomatoes, it just didn't feel quite right. I thought it was the background, so I kept repainting the background. It still wasn't right. So I got out my new favorite tool, my digital camera, and began snapping shots. Suddenly one of the shots jumped out at me and screamed, "This... Right here. This close up portion of the painting. This is what the painting should be." And so ensued the complete rewrite. I got out the gesso and covered the image that had so become a part of my daily life for a couple of weeks. Within hours, the new and improved tomato emerged. Exactly as it was meant to be all along.It now hangs in my dining room. When I finished it, I just had to go out and buy new dishes, just to match. Bright orange.
