33 x 33 cm
Acrylic on canvas, box framed in raw oak.
“Mummy, why do you just paint fruit?” This question was asked of me by my then 6 year old daughter, while I was in the process of preparing for my first solo exhibition ‘Tablescapes’. My response at the time was to point towards the pieces that didn’t contain fruit (admittedly, there were relatively few) but the question got me thinking. Why fruit?
I was initially drawn to fruit as a subject for my still life paintings during covid. Fruit was, thankfully, still easy to obtain making it a convenient subject matter. But something else about fruit appealed to me significantly in the dark days of lockdowns. Through my art, I was seeking brightness and joy. Fruit was exactly that. Colourful, vibrant and readily evokes joyful memories. Mangoes, watermelon, and stone fruits remind us of long, hot summer days. Citrus is G&Ts and freshly squeezed juices. Pears and grapes feature on the cheese platters we enjoy over a wine and long conversations with good friends. Apples get baked into pies and crumbles that warm our tummies and provide comfort during dark, cold wintery evenings.
Choosing a specific piece of fruit to paint is an art in itself. In selecting a piece of fruit I need to consider its colouring, its form, its size, and how these features will work in the overall composition of the piece. I need to consider if and how I will cut or open the fruit, which position I will place it in, how it will balance with other items in the composition and so on. I look for pieces with small imperfections, as the little bumps and marks really help to bring the painting to life. Each different type of fruit presents challenges in how to paint it so as to capture its texture, which keeps me engaged and mentally stimulated as I paint. And it’s oh so satisfying when it all comes together.
So why do I paint fruit? I just love it and I can’t see that changing anytime soon!"
