Sweet and Sour : Carbon Footprint #41

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Sweet and Sour : charcoal and pastel still life drawing

It is a well tested phenomenon that 20 minutes after eating a Chinese meal, you want another one Seems it goes for drawing them too

During the last large still life drawing, I discovered that splendid orange shadow cast on the noodle box and knew it needed a picture of its own - more space to breath

I am loving this paper too - Johannot by Canson - it gives a very soft, velvety finish to the drawing that I really like. I am keeping working notes on all the papers I try in an online scrapbook. So if you are another weirdo who loves paper a little too much, then leave me a recommendation for your favorite at The Paperphiles

Hey, for some women it's shoes - me, I go weak at the knees in a paper store. I remember the day I found Kate's Paperie in New York - boy that was a good day!

(Actually, I quite like shoes too)

Description : Large charcoal and pastel still life drawing of left over sweet and sour sauce and Chinese noodle box

Chinese Shadow Play : Carbon Footprint #40

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Sweet and Sour : charcoal and pastel still life drawing 30" x 22"

As I was setting up the still life, I fell in love with that shadow looming on the back wall. Such drama! But as I continued to draw and took the time to look closer, other quieter elements of the arrangement started to quicken my heart

So, in order to share what I see, my fortune cookie predicts there will be another chinese take out in my future Hey ho - such are the sacrifices for art

Description : a dark dramatic shadow looms in the background of this large charcoal and pastel still life drawing of chinese take out - noodle box, crumpled paper bag and broken fortune cookie

22″ x 30″, charcoal and pastel still life drawing

This charcoal and pastel still life drawing is part of the “Carbon Footprints” series

Charcoal and pastel still life drawing (Carbon Footprint #39)

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purple chocolate box with green ribbon | charcoal and pastel drawing

Normally I wouldn't be able to resist the last chocolate, but Peanut Butter Cup - no problem. We end up fighting about who won't eat that one. But you know I couldn't resist that luscious purple box

No title for this one yet, so leave any suggestions in  a comment and I might just send you the last chocolate

Description : large charcoal and pastel drawing of an (almost) empty chocolate box, juicy purple box combines with pale green satin ribbon to leave a mouthwatering longing for the last chocolate...even if it is Peanut Butter Cup

22" x 30", charcoal and pastel still life drawing

This charcoal and pastel still life drawing is part of the “Carbon Footprints” series

Chocolate Chocolate Chip (Carbon Footprint #38) charcoal and pastel drawing

YUM - Chocolate Chocolate Chip - charcoal and pastel drawing

these were so yummy - especially for no sugar added. Just as well I bought two boxes. It's like finishing the first layer of chocolates, only to discover a second layer hidden underneath. What a delight! (Not sure two boxes counts as "low carb" though.)

And such beautiful sage green boxes with irresistible blue stripey bakers string deserved a HUGE piece of paper - 30" x 22", my largest Carbon Footprint yet.

The original drawing will be included in the exhibition "The Cube and I" starting March 14th (Lordy! I'd better get my skates on and frame it!)

Giclee prints are available from my Etsy store Or drop me a line to arrange payment.

Description : charcoal and pastel still life drawing of empty chocolate muffin wrappers and cake boxes

This charcoal and pastel still life drawing is part of the “Carbon Footprints” series.

Fries to Go : charcoal still life drawing (Carbon Footprint #37)

Proud Auntie Jo has been having a rather splendid few days back in Blighty to snuggle my new nephew; catch-up with friends and family and make a quick pilgrimage to the National Gallery to see Constable's Haywain (amongst other gems). And how do I celebrate returning to the frozen NorthEast?

Oh dear - large coke and fries to go (good job I didn't make any New Year's Resolutions really)

No title yet, so leave me a suggestion in the comments

fries to go - charcoal and pastel drawing

charcoal and pastel still life drawing

Description : charcoal still life drawing of empty fast food wrappers, large coke and empty fries carton

This charcoal still life drawing is part of the “Carbon Footprints” series.

onion skin charcoal still life drawing (Carbon Footprint #36)

charcoal and pastel still life drawing of an onion skin

I can't believe it has taken this long for my beloved onion skins to put in an appearance on trash day!

This picture was originally in black and white, but after taking it along to The Exhibitors' Co-op,  my weekly art critiquing group, it was suggested that what this picture needed was a spot of color ...and boy were they right!

I may not always agree with each objection and/or solutionn -  and frankly they do not always agree either - leading to some livley discussions over the tea and brownies.

But each opinion has the same motivation - to make the piece better and to keep me learning and growing as an artist.

I thank each one of them for the lessons they have taught me. (And I do love to hear those magic words "It's Done")

Description: charcoal and pastel still life drawing of a transparent onion skin

This charcoal still life drawing is part of the “Carbon Footprints” series.

Lettuce charcoal drawing (Carbon Footprint #35)

charcoal and pastel still life drawing of bagged lettuce

It's getting too cold for lettuce now, so salad is on hold for a few months now. Goodbye goat cheese crumbles. Farewell balsamic dressing. Walnuts...well you can stick around to double as croutons.

Anyone have a good recipe for Lettuce Soup?

My Precious (Charcoal Footprint #34)

charcoal still life drawing of a colored pencil stump

charcoal and pastel drawing 13" x 11"

Purple stubby pencil ends may not be in your trash...and frankly they rarely make it to mine. They are just too darn cute! I keep promising I will make them into earrings, or string them onto a necklace, but they just end up  kicking around the bottom of the pencil tray with the scratty ends of  eraser and frisket paper.

(Frisket Paper is like low tack see through sticky plastic and is very good for lifting small details in color pencil drawings - not it's original purpose. Found in all good Art Supply Stores)

I'm rather happy that this drawing has been accepted for the Exhibitors' Co-op Healthy Heart exhibition this Spring in Summit New Jersey, along with my squishy strawberries.

Description: charcoal and purple pastel still life drawing of a pencil shaving and stub

This charcoal still life drawing is part of the “Carbon Footprints” series.

Good Grief! I've run out of charcoal!

how did that happen? I could have sworn I had a brand new pack of chunky charcoal just waiting in the wings. But no, nothing but scratty end pieces and dust. Uh-oh, I see a trip to the art store in my future. QUICK! Hide the credit cards.

In the mean time, here's another scrumptious pastel landscape to enjoy. These Pan Pastels are still such fun to play with. I wonder what other colors they have at the store....

pastel drawng of fall woodland reflected in a turquoise stream

Please stop making Pumpkin Pie! (Carbon Footprint #31)

empty pumpkin pie can - charcoal still life drawing by Jo Bradney

This was my last can of pumpkin. I forgot to budget for the Fall Pumpkin Pie Frenzy and my store has been out of canned pumpkin for almost a month now. It seems they just can't keep it on the shelf. Now what is Lulu going to have for lunch?

It's loyal customers like Lulu that keep the canned pumpkin industry going through the lean Spring months; through the humidity of Summer, when pumpkin pie is the last thing on your mind. I'm pretty sure pumpkin is always on Lulu's mind - she's even added it to her growing list of vocabulary.

She's just going to have to make do with green beans until after Thanksgiving

where's my pumpkin!

Don't forget to leave a title suggestion for a free mini print

Description : An empty squashed can of pumpkin with a torn paper label, captured in a charcoal still life drawing

This charcoal drawing is part of the “Carbon Footprints” series.