Peaches

"Peaches" -- oil on canvas 30x30" -- Margie Guyot

 

Late August and the peaches are ripe here in northern Michigan.  I got these at King's Market, on US31, between Eastport and Elk Rapids.  Since tree-ripened peaches are notorious for attracting clouds of fruit flies (!), I worked as quickly as possible. 

 

Luckily, I happened to have a perfectly-suited vintage tablecloth, in shades of blue.  Years ago I realized that the paintings that seemed to have to most visual impact were the ones done in contrasting colors: red and green, yellow and lavender, etc.  So yes, it was a conscious decision to pair the orange peaches with the blue cloth. 

 

One of the most fascinating things is to throw a vintage tablecloth onto the table and let it fall into wrinkles and folds.  Then try to paint it. 

 

I noticed that the peaches changed color the longer they sat there.  They were considerably redder as they aged.  And it being "up north, along Lake Michigan", it was frequently cloudy.  Which greatly affects the colors and shadows.  So it's always kind of a guessing game with painting still lifes up here!

 

Yes, I did manage to finish this painting ahead of the fruit fly invasion!  The peaches became a pie.