Sun Logo for Native Grasslands

Here is a fun one I completed in January for a nonprofit organization called Native Grasslands:

Randy, the person who started the organization had a very specific vision in mind for the sun he wanted and with a bit of back and forth we finally got to this. I am pretty happy with it and happy to once again do some art for a really good cause. You can read more about Native Grasslands at http://nativegrasslands.com/

And below is what the image looked like before adding color with gouache. I first drew it in pencil, then drew on top of that with an archival marker, and last added the color.

Persimmon Tomato

Here's another from a couple months ago, Persimmon Tomato:

The SESE website says that early fruits of this plant can weigh up to two pounds. That's a big tomato!
One hard thing about tomato illustrations for SESE is making them unique for each variety. With over 150 varieties of tomatoes they can all start to look very similar. So, at the suggestion of Ira Wallace I began adding little hints in the paintings for what the best uses of the tomato might be, a cutting board for a slicer, a jar for good sauce tomato.

Winter Density Lettuce

Here's one from a couple months ago, Winter Density Lettuce:

I have not too much to say about this one. It apparently does well in heat as well as cold even with it's wintery name.

Wild Bergamot

This posting is for Liz who keeps asking me to post more. :) Here you go!

And here is what the SESE website says about this plant: 

A favorite of hummingbirds and bees. Flowers of varying shades of lavender may be added to salads. Use strongly fragrant dried leaves for tea and potpourris. Medicinal: Used by several Native American tribes as a carminative.

And in case you didn't know what a carminative was, (because I didn't), dictionary.com says it is:

a drug causing expulsion of gas from the stomach or bowel.

And in case you were wondering what that crazy looking bug is flying up to one of the flowers, it is a hummingbird moth. I was so surprised the first time I saw one of these. They move just like hummingbirds, quickly and then hovering, but are clearly not birds at all. 

Deer Tongue Lettuce

Here's is another illustration from a month or so ago. This one is of Deer Tongue

Lettuce is currently my favorite thing to paint. Although sometimes if it is really wrinkly the details can drive me nuts, I just think it always comes out looking really neat. I love the texture of the leaves and how, even though most lettuce is mostly green leaves, they are all so different.

Calabrese Green Sprouting Broccoli

Here is an illustration I did a little more than a month ago of Calabrese Green Sprouting Broccoli.

Does anyone else have trouble spelling broccoli every time? I had to check and see how to spell it because I always want to put two l's instead of two c's.
I don't normally think of broccoli as a particularly Italian thing, but Wikipedia would have me believe it so. It reads as follows:
"Broccoli was derived from cultivated leafy cole crops in the Northern Mediterranean in about the 6th century BCE. Since the Roman Empire, broccoli has been considered a uniquely valuable food among Italians. Broccoli was brought to England from Antwerp in the mid-18th century by Peter Scheemakers. Broccoli was first introduced to the United States by Italian immigrants but did not become widely known there until the 1920s."

Early Wonder Tall Top Beet

Here is a illustration I did a month or so ago of early wonder tall top beet. I really like the way this one turned out. As I was working on the beets and before I put the greens in it reminded me of some strange anatomy illustration of a bunch of bleeding hearts, which I think suits the beet. As Tom Robbins says they are the most passionate of vegetables. :)