28 January 2013

Circles of orange




There are few things making me happier this month than the three-kilo bags of tarocchi we've been buying. The tarocco (sing.) is a type of blood orange that often has red-tinged flesh & skin, but the color doesn't tend to be as intense as the other varieties of blood oranges. It is very sweet, easy to peel, and makes a beautiful juice. Lots of Vitamin C and other good stuff...

I love the patterns found when you cut through an orange: you get a starburst effect from slicing it around the midsection (i.e. horizontally), and then there's the more linear pattern that happens from slicing off an edge vertically (shown in the upper left image, below). These interior designs are such an interesting contrast to the simple (near) spherical shape of the uncut orange, with its fairly uniform surface. I suppose one appeal of the tarocco in particular is the mottled color; the skin seems to have been sponge-painted, and the flesh looks as though someone may have squeezed in a few drops of vermillion paint, which then proceeded to seep into the different 'sections'. 

Part of the '12x12' project I've mentioned a few times recently includes focusing on a fruit or vegetable that's in season each month, and exploring different ways to interpret it. These days, 'getting to know something' often seems to begin with the camera, but ultimately my hope is to also draw, paint, collageor cook with itas well. This month, I considered somehow using the 'net' bags I have been collectingmaybe for splattering paint?but so far have only cut some circles from them. I'm not so sure about their plastic-y-ness. Along with circles of orange & red Canson paper, the net circles appear scattered through some of the images below, and I'll see where else they may take me.






*


This seems like a perfect opportunity to show off the gorgeous 'Orange' fabric that I won from Julie Booth last summer...she created the print blocks herself. I just love the colors (which are actually a little darker & richer than shown in the photo). She likes to experiment with using things from the kitchen in her printmaking, and includes details on her techniques in a monthly newsletter. I am really looking forward to trying out some of the ideas one of these days...



Orange by Julie Booth

10 comments:

  1. Okay, so the ending of your post was a surprise! I was enjoying all those spirited orange photos...thinking how I wish I had a book of your wonderful photos which are always exploring your subject from all angles...and then there was the fabric and your kind words...Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you enjoyed the surprise of finding your fabric, Julie. I don't think a photo really does it justice, but I still remember how much I loved it the first time I saw you mention it on your blog... That was my first month doing the ROY G BIV challenge, and I was so thrilled to be the lucky winner!
      - Lisa

      Delete
  2. gorgeous!
    I love orange...

    xox - eb.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! So do I - it makes me happy...and hopeful that winter will end!
      - Lisa
      PS I'll add your name to the drawing on Friday.

      Delete
  3. Rich 'Florentine' oranges and reds! I love the patterns. And Julie's printed fabric is lo-ve-ly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Ersi - I'm glad you enjoyed the colors & patterns. I feel like I just got started 'exploring', and hope to do more before they tarocchi are out of season!
      - Lisa

      Delete
  4. The scent of your tarocchi seems to be wafting through my window just now. Is it possible? I like to think so.

    Once again, your photography skills have me oohing and aahing and simply lusting over the photos...and wanting an orange so bad. Your first photo is perfect. Best still life I think I've ever seen. And then, the collage with all it holds. Aah... Love the netting, by the way. I've a collection of it too that's just waiting for one day...

    One last question...just what is that most delicious looking drink in the last row of pics? Please tell there's alcohol in it too...

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Jennifer - you won't believe how much I was dying for an orange as I was putting together this post (me + sticky, splattery juice = not a good idea with the computer though)! The first thing I did when I finished is have one. And then plenty of juice, since I had already cut the tarocchi in half. And, to answer your question, the glass is holding centopercento tarocco juice! I'm sure it'd be good with a dash of Prosecco though! Give it a try...
    - Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Lisa, meandering my way back thru these posts after disappearing off the interweb for a week it seems. Love love love orange! It always makes me smile and cheers me up and like Jennifer I think that first photograph is amazing. Happy orange days to you. F

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Fiona! (And sorry to be replying so belatedly, but I just remembered I never did get back to some of the comments I didn't manage to acknowledge while I had the flu.)
      It really did give me a boost to spend the afternoon with the brightly-colored oranges...they're a perfect antidote to winter days/weather.
      - Lisa

      Delete

Thank you for joining in on the dialogue; I appreciate your comments!
{Sorry about enabling word recognition, but I'm hoping it will alleviate the spam.}

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...