Grapes and Pears

8x10"
pastel on archival sanded paper

This was painted from a photo, however

the set up had one direct light and a foil

reflector to give the golden color in the background.

There is a glow to the pears and the grapes. And if

you will notice, reflective light in several areas.

Gold Pears

5x7"
pastel on archival sanded paper

Pear No. 2

5x7"
pastel on 300 lb paper
This was painted from life using a single light source.
I wanted to capture the strong contrast of the light and shadow.

Pear Crisp

6 large pears
1 cup sugar
pinch of salt
2 tbsp. cinnamon
2 tbsp. nutmeg
2 sticks butter
2 cups sifted flour
2 cups brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Peel pears and cut into slices, then cubes about 1/2 inch to 1 inch pieces.
Mix pears, sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and 2 tablespoons of flour in pan.
Combine butter, the remaining flour, and brown sugar, mashing until crumbly.
Pour pear mixture into pan of choice. Sprinkle brown sugar mixture over pears.
Bake for 35-45 minutes.

A Trio of Pears

5X7"
pastel on archival sanded paper
This was painted from life.
Setup with one light source. My plan
was to capture the way the light fell on each pear.
Then my plan was to make the following desert.

Roasted Pears with Caramel Sauce

Ingredients

4 tablespoons butter
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
4 pears, halved and cored
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup coarsely chopped toasted pistachios ( or your favorite nuts)

Directions

• Adjust oven rack to center position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Place butter in a baking pan large enough to hold the pears in a single layer: set in the heating oven until it melts.
• Sprinkle sugar over melted butter, then place pears, cut side down, on top. Bake until tender, about 30 minutes.
• Remove pan from oven, turn pears over and baste with pan sauce. Return to oven; bake until golden and glossy, about 10 minutes longer. Let cool slightly.
  
• Transfer pears to dessert plates or bowls. Top each with dollop of sour cream, drizzle with caramel pan sauce, sprinkle with nuts and serve.

Royal Riviera Pear

5x7"
pastel on board
Today is my first post of many I hope.

I received these great pears in a gift basket and
I have to say, they are the best I have ever eaten.
A plain pear. A recipe for a healthy snack.