Cocoa, Coming Up!

Having spent a good portion of my adult life in Jamaica, I am inspired by my tumbling tropical garden and its natural healthy produce.  I had planted some cacao plants a couple of years ago and all but forgot them until the gardener came up one day, wielding a branch bearing three cocoa pods.  In my excited anticipation of future home-grown hot chocolate, I had a lovely time creating this still life arrangement of the pods and the branch, with leaves still attached, plus cinnamon and various spices that might one day make it into the hand thrown pottery mug, in the form of spiced hot cocoa. I took a lot of reference photos, knowing that I would want to paint this combo at some point.

My impressionistic interpretation of this still life focusses on shapes and rich colours, pattern and texture.  I like to keep the blocky brushwork fresh and dynamic, enhanced by sharp and lost edges. I direct the viewer's eye around the scene with colour placements and popping highlights.

I'm hoping viewers will be inspired to enjoy the produce of their gardens, eating fresh and local, wherever they are based.