apples

Apple Basket

watercolor on cold pressed paper

5.5 x 7.5 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

available

It's nearly apple season season here in our southern mountains. Choosing to paint apples this time, I decided to place them in an old kitchen basket.The variety of textures in this composition was challenging to capture in paint. I did like the warm glow of the basket complementing the crisp, cool light on the apples. Now I'm thinking apple pie, apple bread, apple crisp, apple chips....how do you enjoy apples?

sketchbook :: last of the summer flowers

Summer is fading here in our southern mountains. I found a few lingering flowers from our yard to arrange for our table and to capture in paint.

Ocean Dreams

Ocean Dreams

watercolor and gouache on cold pressed paper

7.5 x 9.5 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

Available

I have been away from the ocean long enough that it was time to begin painting it again.

Hydrangea

Hydrangea

watercolor on cold pressed paper

7.5 x 9.5 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

Available

What I am enjoying most about painting with watercolor, in addition to its challenges, are the surprises. Watercolor really is mostly unpredictable. And I love that. When I see something that I would like to paint, I know that if I chose oil, or colored pencil, to create the image then I could be sure of the result. Yet where is the fun in that? By choosing to paint in watercolor, and with all the careful planning I can muster, I am still delighted with a few surprises along the way.

This is a painting of my hydrangea bush that sits beside the corner of our house, right along the walkway. It has been glorious this summer with its large blooms. I enjoyed capturing those blooms in watercolor. Watching the color run into the shadows and highlights of the petals provided many delightful surprises with this painting.

sketchbook :: peach pie

Even though the plate in this sketch looks a bit wonky, the pie really tasted good.

"I cook when I am restless; I like the simple recipes; the preparing of ingredients; the knowledge that if I follow the rules the dish will never disappoint. 

If only people were like this. If only the heart was as simple."  

-from Peaches for Father Francis by Joanne Harris

Pears

Pears

watercolor on cold pressed paper

5.5 x 7.5 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

available

Here is a painting of pears done in the spirit of the Peaches from my last post. I always fall in love with the color variation and shape of pears, and can't resist bringing a few home from the market every now and then. Luckily, we enjoy eating pears. Our latest favorite way to eat fresh fruit is to mix a variety of fruits and berries with plain yogurt and a little honey. That always disappears fast at our dinner table.