next painting?

Seed pods nicked from a tree in front of my son's school last week. I was transported by their systematic yet wild beauty. Trans. Ported. I'm still not sure how I will approach the painting stylistically, but I have a few ideas I'd like play with. There seems to be a lot of room for experimenting with paint application and texture. First some sketches to get a feel for the pods, stems, tendrils, highlights, textures, and shadows. Then I will play with the paint. I wonder what will happen. I wonder if "god" will decide to show up in my paint the way he lives in the thing itself. I'm planning to work both from photographs and the real thing. The photos are mostly a reference point for the light patterns I'm aiming for and to keep a record of the pods in case my small son finds them on my shelf and decides to explore their inner nature. Nothing gold can stay; it's best to be prepared.

Follow-up note: I did paint this as a still-life and will try to post a photo of the painting soon. I treated this painting as an exercise in thinking about light. Very enjoyable process.

minor confessions

I sneak Scooby Doo fruit snacks from my own pantry every night. I stare, practically paralyzed, at my child after he has fallen asleep. I smell his hair, listen to his breathing, and feel his tiny shoulder with my hand. I am afraid of almost everything. I rip up my cuticles when I'm preoccupied or nervous. I don't want to join the PTA. I sing 80s rock ballads really loud in my car because I know all the words. I love watching Family Feud and Murder She Wrote. I think I'm recovering from a case of Athlete's Foot, but I have no idea how I got it. I sometimes wish I could be a big, black jazz singer in a red sequined dress instead of a skinny white girl with anxiety issues. I have no idea what I'm doing. I always cry when I'm angry; it makes my face puffy and purple, but my eyes turn an amazing shade of electric blue. I am alternately fearful of and content with my own hypocrisy. I have been terrified of vomiting since I was six. I feel like I'm always a step behind. I've been systematically sneaking Liam's Easter candy. I love bologna (the meat product, not the city). Someday I would like to travel to India, but I'm scared of what my phobia would do to me while I was there. The second toe on my left foot is longer than that on my right and I have an extra set of ribs. When I was born I was pigeon-toed and had to wear leg braces as a toddler to straighten out my feet. I like my freckles now. I have nightmares that my hair is long again and wake up in a panic. Sometimes I get sick of hearing my own voice.