While my head is wrapped around researching and creating a body of paintings for a solo exhibition in 2015, I still find time to sketch daily. I know, I know, I keep harping on about it but I can't apologize. Drawing is THE key element in all art disciplines. If you can't draw, you're in a boat without a paddle. So step away from the computer, look at whatever else is in front of you and draw it. 5 minutes, 10 minutes. Just do it. You'll thank me eventually for bugging you about it. :)
This time of year the garden offers up lots of bounty and is the inspiration for sketches. This is a watercolour sketch of a Bulgarian Carrot pepper, also known as "Shipkas”. It's small, about 2 inches in size, and the colour is beautiful. I haven't eaten it yet, so can't tell you my version of the heat factor, but this
Scoville rating states heat between 12,000 and 30,000 units. Research seems varied on that, but there are so many factors involved that create levels of heat in peppers, as well as individual taste tolerance too that it is difficult to provide an accurate guide. I think I'll try making a hot sauce with some and see what the heat level is like for me.
And a sad note, Lucky and his friend Lily were attacked the other evening in the garden. Lucky was killed and Lily gone. It was most likely the silver fox that has been hanging around for the last week or two. The ducks were part of the landscape for me and visitors and are missed. Life in the country is never easy.
