Picture Perfect Pears

"Petit Poire" watercolor on paper
Private Collection

"Pair of Pears" watercolor on paper

"Juicy" watercolor on paper

"4 Pears" watercolor on paper
Private Collection

Some artists love to paint still lifes -- bowls or fruit or vegetables on table tops with maybe a bouquet of flowers, a vase, or even a candlestick for more atmosphere.  Personally, I don't enjoy painting still lifes.  Let someone else do the delightful pomegranate or lovely plum.  However, I have this fixation with pears.
Love to paint pears.  I'm not sure if it is the sensuous shape - they are not just round, the are a combination of round and triangular, almost classically shaped, each one individual and unique, unlike say a lemon or an orange.  And the colors vary -- from a warm yellow, a deep rich red  to a bronzed gold with markings and stripes decorating them.
I've painted them in oil and watercolor -- I prefer watercolor.  It seems a better medium to bring out the transparency of their rich colors of their skins.
But I love eating them too -- sliced with vanilla ice cream, partnered with asiago cheese. Or maybe in a classic French tart this this delightful recipe thanks to the great pastry chef, David Lebovitz.
David Lebovitz Pear and Almond Tart
Right now it is pear season so stock up on all those beautifully colored, sweet and juicy jewels.  Eat them if you must -- or just use them as some very willing models (and gobble them up when the art work is complete.)