Offbeets

"Offbeets" acrylics on encyclopedia page, July 10, 2007

The summer I was twelve years old, I received painting lessons from my grandmother every Saturday morning. The first lessons were about art principles, like things about perspective and vanishing points, and things like light sources and the range of colors in shadows and highlights.

I did lots of little practice lessons, and then, at the end of the summer and the end of my lessons, she arranged a simple still life of some tomatoes from my grandfather's vegetable garden for me to paint. She even gave me a real canvas on which to execute my pièce de résistance.

I was pleased with my results and I was proud that I had used most of the techniques she had so lovingly taught me. I decided to make my "Summer Tomatoes" as a gift to my mother, who had drove me to Grandma's every Saturday. And besides, what kid doesn't always give their best art work to their mom?

My mother was duly impressed. She oo'ed and ah'ed joyfully and proudly. She positively beamed as she said, "Debi, how beautiful! What lovely apples!"

I can't tell you how many times remembering that story has made me laugh. I love you, Mom.