Popcorn and snow

Popcorn Trio

Graphite, Canson paper 8 x 4
copyright Jeanette Jobson

More snow! And more due tomorrow!! I'm moving. Anyone who lives in a more temperate climate and who would like to adopt an artist for a few months, let me know. I can cook, clean and knit as well...

I struggled through unplowed roads today to teach my drawing class and of course, everyone called in to say the weather would prevent them from attending. So I did some shopping at Costco which was blissfully empty for a change then came home. This afternoon I made my winter treat - popcorn. I love the salty taste and crisp yet soft texture of the popped kernels. In the leftovers of the bowl I rescued a few of the expanded kernels to try my hand at drawing them.

It was quite enjoyable. Popped corn has a very sculptural look to it that goes unnoticed as you eat handfuls. Drawing anything and everything, as always, provides an opportunity for close scrutiny and lets me really understand the folds and angles.

And, just in case you've ever wondered, here is an explanation of why corn pops - or more the elements that need to be present to make it pop. The explanation of how the white part of the corn is created could be a little offputting...

The gelatinized starch granules do not explode, but expand into thin, jelly-like bubbles. Neighboring bubbles fuse together and solidify, forming a three-dimensional network much like a sink full of soapsuds. This is the white fluffy solid we eat.