A still life done in pastels of a bowl of blackberries sitting on a black and white tile counter.

Salvage Operation

Despite my squirrel friend's interest in my blackberry bushes, I did manage to havest some for myself - quite a bountiful one, in fact. I've paid tribute to my bounty with this still life. I loved finding the subtle variations in value that allow you to 'see through' the bowl to the berries inside, giving the viewer a hint of their juiciness.


  • Medium: Pastels on 9"x12" sanded paper.
  • Status: Sold.
  • Prints: Inquire if interested.

About This Series

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This series is the result of simply looking out my window one day - and seeing a little friend peering back at me from the blackberry bushes that guard my house. I was able to capture several photos of him romping through his grocery store, which I then used as references for these pastel pieces.

It was a struggle to render the texture of his fur and the subtle variations in color in his face, but that's what I love about working with pastels. Though they're a dry medium, it's possible to create a layered, almost glazing, effect with them similar to using oil paint. I was quite delighted by the results, which were much more vibrant, more alive works than the photos I'd taken. I feel like I can just reach out and touch my paw to his.