Fresh Squeezed
Orange orbit
Spinning right ’round, baby, round, round is my completed orange for Riverside Art Museum’s OrangeAID benefit. Titled “Pop of Orange”, I’m happy to say it was not delivered at the last minute but rather with 15 big ones before the noon deadline! Depicting the celestial origin of the color orange, two cosmic serpents — one red, one yellow — mate in space and produce a crystalline golden child … On the reverse a ginger-haired human thrills to the chromatic creation. Too much look for a basketball-sized art piece? Maybe. But having seen some of the other submissions being dropped off I beg to differ … here’s a peek:
Diverse citrus
Most all the submissions were painted, but there were also tile and stained glass mosaic oranges; oranges with surfaces modeled to mimic topography, cupcake frosting or a mythical dragon; one seemed to be festooned with a belly dancer’s chain adornment, and another was painted to resemble lead and titled something like, “In Defiance of Gravity” (we had to resist the urge to lift it) … in another the orange had become part of a sculpture that featured intersecting planes of primary colors. My favorite orange was also the darkest: a mostly black orange painted with a lightning-furred beastie … the large, moist, sensitive eyes hooked me. It was mind boggling to see so much colorful fruit at once but I had to remind myself that this was only a small sampling of the final crop that will be on display at RAM — more than 120!
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Click here for fellow Riverside artist/blogger Desiree’s orange. Clearly she was inspired by the intense golden color of California’s signature wildflower.
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RIVERSIDE ART MUSEUM ORANGEAID
Exhibition: November 1 – 9
Benefit Gala & Auction: November 9; 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.; Admission $25
Click here for RAM’s Art Alliance website.
Rancho Reubidoux 
I love it! I’ve been waiting to see what you did with your orange. Really cool whirling graphic you’ve got going there, too.
Thanks, Lori … lots of fun to paint an object!
You amaze me with what’s in your head, heart and hand….your spinning orange is magnificent. My other favorite is the blue leafed I don’t know what orange but I liked it a lot. The dragon is quite nice and it is the year of the dragon. Good luck with your entry.
Thanks, Guida … the other dragon entry with the built-up surface is even more amazing; I wish I’d gotten a picture of it. The exhibit is not a competition, each orange will go to a museum sponsor, with one group going up for auction … I can’t hope but wish mine will go to a good home! 😉
Thank for the plug Reuben!! Aren’t you clever by spinning your orange,perfectly displayed and what a great job you did! I also love the dark one and can’t wait to see all of them together at the Gala. Are you planning on attending?? I will be there and now I will go and add a link to your orange page too! Thanks
You’re welcome, Desiree … I plan to be at the gala for sure, but it’ll be soon after my spinal surgery so who knows how long I’ll be on the premises. See you soon.
That was what I was wanting to know…….about your back…..when are you getting fixed??
Actually, the surgery I’m having on the 18th is the first of two … after recovery from that procedure a second is planned. Send all good vibes this way, Guida, I’ll need them!
I’m starting those good vibes coming to you right now….to build as much strength in your mind and body as you can before the proceedure. I’m with you. xo
I appreciate it, and you. Thanks!
Let me know if yours goes to auction, I will definitely bid on it. I love it! You always amaze me. Lets get together and make art together, I want to learn from you.
If my orange goes to auction I, myself, might try to buy it back … I’d love to make art together!
Oh my, you’re getting fixed? We did that to our cat & he’d never look me in the eye again! (Different kind of fixed, I’m guessing) Anyway, good luck with your procedures!
Like everything you create, your orange is spectacular. I’m so lucky to have found your blog so that I can see all of your cool work!
Wow, thanks … and thankfully I’m NOT getting ‘fixed’ that way!
I really like your orange. A fun, metaphysical-type spin on the crate label that is so surprising yet somehow so you. Peek-a-boo!
Hey, Boo! I couldn’t’a broke it down better myself … how you guys doing?
We’re doing well, since it’s cooled off. It’s in the eighties now, and I feel born again, like a newborn baby being cradled in the arms of Samuel L. Jackson, who’s kneeling in the ruins of a burnt out church while releasing a dove from a ghetto rooftop. Life is good.
Well, damn … You got room for one more? I need some of that! 😉
You’re right though, the coolness has given me my life back …
These are great. What a lot of fun !
Fun, is right! I almost volunteered to do another … Almost.
I haven’t been keeping up with you and just now read about your surgeries. Will keep you in my prayers. Please make sure you do the therapy necessary afterwards for otherwise it’s all for naught. Listen to the doctors, therapy folks, and of course your own body. I know that if you do you’ll have a great result. Just as Tom has.
Oh, and your orange is great. I was looking forward to seeing what you and the others would do. I’ve got to find a way to get my creative juices going again!!!!
Hi, Vickie, I will definitely heed your wise counsel … thanks for the encouragement. Now hear mine: Get those creative juices flowing … it’s almost time for a “What’s-Vickie-been-up-to?” repost!
I haven’t been up to much of anything for I’ve been hiding from the heat and burying family members and friends. Lost six people this year. Between the two I’ve not been too inspired to do anything. Thought I was doing ok just trying to keep alive what is growing. Am back to it in a small way. I look at what’s out there and know I’ve got to get going again. Hopefully now that we’re into the fall I’ll find the where-with-all to get myself in gear. Wish me luck………….
Vickie, I’m so sorry to hear of your losses; besides my own health issues, this year seems to be finishing on a definite downbeat note with many people I know; family and friends are sick or dying. I know it’s hard … I wish you the best, of course, and hope that you can use the new coolness — and good memories of those who’ve passed — to sustain you and inform your art. And, of course, I wish you (and Tom) all the luck in the world!
This is all part of reaching a certain age. My Gram warned me long ago. One of the most surprising things was the realization that now I’m the 2nd oldest on one side and the oldest on the other. That’s ok. We are all that we’ve lived. Am enjoying the weather and have been poking around with the planters. My aunt was one of the most encouraging in my art. Even found some things I’d done for her when I was in the 8th grade while helping to close up her home. My father was one of my greatest supporters.
As to your health issues I “know” that you will come thru it all quite well and will be soon up to your tricks. You know there will be a lot of work to be done to regain your mobility. And the luck, I’ve been blessed in the knowing of certain folks who inspire me!! Oh, tell Paul Hello for me…..
Will give Paul a big “Hi!” from Vickie and can’t wait to get back to tricks … I love when you reminisce, Vickie; thanks!
I’m catching up on emails today so am just now seeing your orange. It’s fantastic!
Wishing you the best with your surgery.
Thanks, Carol, for the compliment and for the good wishes!
It’s kinda nice to be able to blather on to you. And of course all the others that read you. Sorry folks. Will try to contain myself. Seem to do this while catching up with you late at night. There’s often little control to my mind leash when tired.
Blather? Where?! 😉