As far back as ancient Egyptian times, skilled artists have enjoyed reproducing images of food with paint on canvas.
Within this tradition, the “fruit basket” has its own enduring appeal – perhaps because fruit is a particularly patient subject that is willing to sit still for hours and allow itself to be painted.
A “fruit basket” painting – featuring a large assortment of very patient fruit. -Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, public domain.
Yet, however classic and time-honored this tradition may be, beginning art students are often less than enthused about spending a whole class period painting fruit, and may (understandably) feel tempted to skip that day’s lesson.
Here, it can help to add in a model to liven up the lesson – preferably a being with strong visual appeal, lots of personality, and the ability to hold students’ interest for hours on end.
You want me to do what, Mom?Sit here on this basket for a long time next to this plump orange being?Care to explain?Well, I can see your point – this basket IS pretty boring without feathers! I don’t think I’d come to class either.Okay, I’ll do it. But only on two conditions – one, that the students pay me in toasted waffles, and two, that I get to name the painting when it’s finished.By the way, I’d like to call it “Pearl. So Famous! So Fetching! So Feathery! (with some fruit).”Well, sure the artist can sign the painting too – but have them do it on the back so there’s plenty of room on the front for my claw-o-graph.Okay, I’m ready. But I think we need to revive the class first. The moment they walked in and saw me perched here, they all fainted from cuteness overload.
Author: Shannon Cutts
Co-Author: Pearl Cutts
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