Olive Oil Container, Sketch 025

Posted on February 23, 2015 by treshabarger

When I look for an item to sketch, I look for different things. I want it to be interesting as an object by itself as well as something that makes me pay attention when I sketch. Many items are too intricate for me at my current effort level, so I leave them until later (or never, as the case may be). For example, this morning I picked up a basket I thought might be a good sketch object, then decided otherwise. I liked the shape of this can, but when I started the sketch, I found the details overwhelming (the trees, people, lettering).

Olive Oil container

Despite the French text and reference to the city of Nice, this container was made in Taiwan and purchased at the Outlet Mall in San Marcos, Texas. I have never put olive oil in it, either.

Sketch 025: Olive Oil Container

Western Meadowlark

Posted on February 23, 2015 by treshabarger

The Western Meadowlarks are in the area for part of the winter season.

Taking flight

Hanging around on the ground

Monday Up Close

Fragment of a Queen’s Face, Sketch 024

Posted on February 22, 2015 by treshabarger

Fragment of a Queen’s Face, Egypt ca. 1353–1336 BCE, yellow jasper

Metropolitan Museum of Art, Purchase, Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1926.

Sketch 024: Fragment of a Queen’s face

Black & White: Things Found in a Kitchen

Posted on February 22, 2015 by treshabarger

My grandmother’s cast iron skillet. I remember cooking breakfast with it. I’d pour in the Crisco oil, about an inch deep, and crack the eggs on the side, trying to use just enough force to crack them open without breaking the yolks or having the shell fall into the oil. The eggs weren’t so much fried as poached in oil. I’d get the oil too hot and it would splatter as I dropped in the eggs. They always ended up with the crispy lace edges. My brother’s skillet specialty was bacon, really crispy bacon. Ah, if skillets could only talk . . .