Saturday, September 24, 2011

Hops

Hops  by linfrye
Hops , a photo by linfrye on Flickr.

9" x 12"
Arches 140#CP

Another grey, rainy day -- perfect for a restful, quiet time. This painting is based on a photo I took last week at Old Salem of a huge hops vine .... I loved those pods - and though the vine itself reminded me of grapes with its heart-shaped leaves ... the scaly fruit of the hops (MUCH smaller than I've painted here) were not at all juicy or colorful as grapes can be.

Old Salem gardens are historically accurate recreations of the gardens grown and tended by the first Moravian settlers to North Carolina. Hops, probably for beer, was one of their crops. It's a hearty vine - and this particular plant was growing up a line extended from a pole more than 10' high ... I'd need two ladders to harvest the hops! LOL

I enjoyed a few hours painting yesterday with my friend Jodi - whom I hadn't seen all summer --- so good to be returning to normal things! We got a half bushel of field peas shelled and today, while the rain keeps me indoors, I'll can those for the winter and save some for dinner tomorrow.

My plans are to paint a bit and maybe get in that nap I just couldn't find time for yesterday ..

Hope your day is restful too!

2 comments:

Lorraine said...

What an interesting painting Lin. I love it -- the colors, the shapes, and of course the way you drip the colors off the page -- just gorgeous. I've never seen hops, that I know of so another new thing learned today.

We are starting out sunny today but rain is predicted for late afternoon (just in time for our memorial service and pot luck for our Liberty friend) but we will be under a roof at the park, even if no walls!

Glad you got in some painting time and hope you sat in the rocker on the porch and shelled the peas!
Big hugs,
Lorraine

jsicignano2.blogspot.com said...

Lovely work as usual. We are having a bit of rain also. Hope all is well with your son and yes do rest it's been hectic for you.

All the best to you,
Joan