Monochrome

On the way to my usual jogging spot, I picked up this peculiar object. I stared at it for the rest of my trip and even beyond that. I could tell I was looking at a pine cone that had fallen from one of the trees in the neighborhood; but I pretended I had no idea what I was looking at or where it had come from. It was interesting to think of this object as some sort of egg or vessel. Beyond that, it was more interesting to stop thinking of it as anything in particular: to simply see it and address it as a form made visible by light and defined by shadow.
This time around, I decided to devote my painting to creating a monochromatic piece. I mixed some emerald green with alizarin crimson and attempted to paint what I saw using only the resulting color. I am becoming more comfortable with my painting by making things uncomfortable. I really had to psyche myself up for this painting, but I am really pleased with the result.