top of page

From Farmers Market to Easel: The Story Behind My Blueberry Painting

I'm thrilled to share my newest creation with you—"Blueberries"! This piece holds a special place in my heart, as it was inspired by the beautiful summer days I spent in Boothbay, Maine. During my stay, I made it a ritual to visit the local farmers market every Thursday. The vibrant atmosphere, fresh produce, and friendly faces sparked the idea for this blueberry painting.



blueberry cartons at farmers market on beige tablecloth
original reference photo!

The Painting Process: Bringing "Blueberries" to Life


Creating "Blueberries" was not just about capturing a scene—it was a journey of experimentation and discovery. Lately, I’ve become quite obsessed with gingham. I love how it can be both playful and structured, adding texture and energy to a piece. For this blueberry painting, I wanted to create a bold gingham tablecloth that would really make the teal blueberry cartons pop. I started by experimenting with different color combinations that would complement and contrast the rich teal of the cartons.

black and white sketch of blueberries
initial sketch

Initially, it was challenging to get the gingham pattern just right. The small, repetitive squares require precision, and my first attempts felt rough. But after some trial and error, I developed a method for capturing the tiny squares that felt both crisp and lively. The peach, pink, and lavender tones in the gingham create a warm, summery backdrop, bringing out the freshness of the blueberries.


painting in progress of blueberries
creating the blueberry shapes

The blueberries themselves were a labor of love, created in many phases. I began with the lightest shades of blue, carefully preserving the negative spaces to keep the highlights intact. As the painting progressed, I built up layers of darker blues, deepening the shadows and adding depth to each berry. There’s something incredibly satisfying about gradually intensifying those darker hues to create a more lifelike, three-dimensional effect. Each blueberry started to take on its own personality, full of texture and vibrancy.


painting in progress of blueberry cartons
adding more depth


painting in progress of blueberry cartons
taking a break from berries to start on cartons


Available Formats


I'm excited to announce that this blueberry painting, "Blueberries," is available in several formats, making it easy to bring a piece of summer into your home!


  • The one of a kind original painting - 8"x10" gouache painting on cotton paper. There's only one...will it be yours? Currently it's framed in an 11"x14" frame with a white mat.

  • Prints: Available in 5x7, 8x10, and 11x14

  • Greeting Cards: Available in a pack of 5, each with a recycled brown envelope.


blueberry cartons on gingham tablecloth painting
"Blueberries" Print

greeting card of blueberries painting on brown envelope on marble table
"Blueberries" Greeting Card

Want to stay updated on new artwork and exclusive offers? Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter for the latest news on upcoming releases, special discounts, and behind-the-scenes peeks into my creative process.




Comments


bottom of page