Ink and watercolor in large watercolor Moleskine
(Click image, select All Sizes to enlarge)
One thing you can say about me is that I’m persistent. If I don’t get it the first time I keep doing it until I feel like I’ve got it or I’m sick of it, whichever comes first. This applies to most aspects of my life, not just art. I painted this little lemon cucumber (it’s a kind of cuke, not a lemon) last week when I was too tired to think straight and didn’t like how it turned out. So here it is again.
I’m still not satisfied with the cuke and especially not with the plate. Maybe it will appear here again next week (though by then I’ll need to buy a new specimen). I think I need to do a large version with juicy washes. I wasn’t feeling well today–did a little gardening and got a massive dose of an allergen of some sort which made me feel headachey, sneezy, itchy and twitchy-eyed.
Tomorrow I’m flying to L.A. for the day to visit my old mom. I’d like to think I’ll do some drawing while I’m there, but since my visits are short, my mom wants my full attention. I’d love to be able to draw the people in my life but I find it hard to be present for them while I’m drawing. Since I’m a bit of a hermit and don’t see friends and family often, I try to focus my attention on them during our time together rather than drawing. So if I have nothing to post tomorrow or I’m too tired when I get home after a very long day, you’ll know why.
Jana Bouc, Artist 
8 replies on “Lemon cucumber again”
I never heard of a lemon cucumber before! I learned a lot since joining EDM 🙂
This cucumber is good, but I liked the first, bolder version too.
Hope you have a pleasant day in LA.
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Jana! I THINK THIS IS OUTSTANDING!! AND HON, I LOVE THE PLATE!! You’ve kept the fine details and the wc is washy just fine! love the colors, the looseness and the entire composition!!! I think is FANTASTiC!!! Sorry for the allergy attack — hope your visit with your mom is a good one! After my children surprised me with their visit — Ican imagine how much your mom will appreciate your time with her!
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Have a good trip, Jana. And of course, despite your dissatisfaction with it, i like the second version of the lemon-cucumber. And that persistence you’re talking about, i don’t have it!! Looking forward to the next post, as usual!
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The plate is beautifully done – worth a second go.
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I think you’re being a bit too hard on yourself, Jana. I love this plate and the lemon cucumber. I think you captured it very well! Who says the art we do has to be photo realistic ALL the time? We could just as easily snap a picture.
Now I have to go see if I can find a lemon cucumber around here; I don’t think I’ve ever seen one before.
Jana, have a good visit with your Mum, maybe you can draw a bit after your visit….
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I hope you have a wonderful visit, Jana. I liked the bold colors in the first cuke painting but I think the shadows are exquisite in this one! We willsee what the next one brings…
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I love the colors and your plate is fine. Now I have no idea what a lemon cucumber is?
you might have to explain when you get back. have a safe trip.
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Ok, so I didn’t see the first Lemon-cuke post and then I was very curious, so I srollted down (really funny story about your Mom by the way! Poor Fly!) any way had to investigate subway people (really terrific!) and there it was in all of it’s glory your first lemon-cuke! I appreciate that your second attempt was much more technical and drafted and concise, but the power and boldness of the first painting is really awesome! I love how I can see the painter’s hand in the first painting, it’s a little looser in the strokes giving it such an organic feel. I really like the composition of the first one too and how it’s framed on the screen. Great job, and it was fun to catch up on your blog.
Have a great week!
PPC
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