Dolce Vita #5

(18" x 24", oil on canvas)

As I continue to receive positive comments on my wine series, I decided to revisit this subject focusing more on fresh fruit.

This composition has a great mix of saturated colours, consequently I found myself using an extensive range of pigments including four yellows, three reds, three blues, a green, one earth tone and a white. Phew!

If you’d like to have your personal copy of the Painting of the Week sent directly to your desktop every Wednesday morning please write me at daniele@DanieleLemieux.com.

Melon Half
(20" x 30", oil on canvas)

It’s always fun to cut open a fruit and see what surprises are revealed. While my intention was to cut this cantaloupe in wedges, once I saw the "half cut" I changed my composition to focus more on the great colour and wonderful textures of the ovoid shape.

If you’d like to have your personal copy of the Painting of the Week sent directly to your desktop every Wednesday morning please write me at daniele@DanieleLemieux.com.

Blue Bowl and Minneola
(12" x 24", oil on canvas)

This painting is another take on last week's piece, with a few changes and substitutions. While the most remarkable difference is in the format, colour also plays an important role in taking this concept from languorous to lively. The larger and greener grapes provide more of a colour jolt and the bowl is a more saturated blue. I like both paintings, finding each to have its own distinguishing aesthetic

If you’d like to have your personal copy of the Painting of the Week sent directly to your desktop every Wednesday morning please write me at daniele@DanieleLemieux.com.

Minneolas
(12" x 36", oil on canvas)

While I admit this is a rather unusual format, I found it suited my subject matter beautifully by further emphasizing the casual left to right roll of the fruit, as well as the unravelling peel. The thick skin and contrasting pith of the minneola adds a nice dimension and texture to this lovely fruit.

If you’d like to have your personal copy of the Painting of the Week sent directly to your desktop every Wednesday morning please write me at daniele@DanieleLemieux.com.

Muscat Grapes
(20" x 30", oil on canvas)

Although these particular Muscat grapes are called "pink", they are, in reality, a breathtaking combination of translucent reds and greens. I composed this piece around the grapes, choosing items that would support this nuanced colour mix.

If you’d like to have your personal copy of the Painting of the Week sent directly to your desktop every Wednesday morning please write me at daniele@DanieleLemieux.com.

Sweet Ambrosia
(24" x 24", oil on canvas)

I had originally purchased these lovely apples to appear in my wine series, but after having them sit around in my studio for a few days I realized just how magnificent they were on their own. This simple composition hinged on creating an interesting pattern with the graphic shapes of the cut apples.

And to be honest, I just loved working with apples called Ambrosia, meaning food of the gods.

If you’d like to have your personal copy of the Painting of the Week sent directly to your desktop every Wednesday morning please write me at daniele@DanieleLemieux.com.

Miche et miel
(12" x 24", oil on canvas)

A neighbour of mine works at our local patisserie and, knowing I was interested in bread as a painting subject, dropped this "miche" by my studio. The inside texture of a loaf can be amazing and once I cut this one open, I knew I had the beginnings of an interesting composition. The old fashioned style of this bread inspired this unassuming composition using simple honest fare.

I am fortunate to live and work in a community where many folks know what I do and are ready to contribute a favourite vase or bowl, treasured family heirloom, or in this case, a loaf of bread... Merci encore Sylvie pour votre délicatesse !

If you’d like to have your personal copy of the Painting of the Week sent directly to your desktop every Wednesday morning please write me at daniele@DanieleLemieux.com.