GOURDS

This painting began with a photo from a local farm house. Every fall they have pumpkins, gourds, squash and Indian corn galore spread across the front yard and porch. This year they had wagons and boxes and wooden crates full! I guess it was an especially bountiful year due to the excellent rain and growing season we had here in southern Indiana.
They have a list of prices and a box for money sitting on the porch – it’s on the honor system – and I’m sure they wouldn’t do it if people didn’t pay. I just love these unexpected surprises of country life that still crop up now and then!
I don’t go by this place very often any more, but fortunately I had my camera with me that day (I do try to remember to take it with me whenever I take a drive). The day I stopped it was overcast, but that didn’t stop me from taking a lot of photos. It was mid-fall and leaves were down but there were still plenty on the trees, so I also managed to get some beautiful fall foliage photos.
Anyway – these gourds were in a wooden crate and maple leaves had fallen randomly throughout. In this painting I’m attempting to capture the beauty of this quintessential fall scene.
I began by pouring miskit and let that dry. I then poured Daniel Smith quin. gold and quin. burnt orange and (I think) some vermillion hue, and let that dry.