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To take the time to “see” the variety of colour in nature you “think” you’ve seen can reward you with a contemplative afternoon that can spread into a lifetime.  The blues of the skies, the greens of the gardens.  Paying attention to the details in nature can help to ignite your awe and wonder at life, or renew it.  At the moment, I am in Malaysia and pineapples are everywhere.  The name of pineapple is believed to of been given in the 17^th century due to the likeness of pine cones.  The diamond pattern and colours on the outside of the pineapple are intriguing.  I love all the varieties of greens, yellows, browns, purples and oranges!  The fruit is a composite of coalesced berries that grow at the top of a fruiting tree and is a member of the Bromeliaceae family.  A native to Paraguay and Brazil, it is now known throughout the world.  Not only yummy to eat, there is a high level of vitamins and minerals including potassium, copper, manganese, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, beta carotene,  thiamine, B6, and folate, as well as soluble and insoluble fiber, and bromelain. 

The pineapple is often depicted as a message of welcome and hospitality, hence carved pineapples on table legs in the kitchen or above doorways.  The fruit is often carved creatively at receptions or in welcoming buffets when visiting foreign lands.  During the colonization periods pineapple became like sugar because of the cost of importing it, a commodity of privilege.  In this day and age we can all experience the privilege of having pineapple in our diets, even in canned forms!  Of course I would always recommend fresh fruit when you can and summer will be upon us soon if living in the northern hemisphere, if not, fresh frozen comes next.  Contemplation of the details around you can be a lesson in paying attention, being aware.  Noticing things with fresh eyes and recognizing the beauty all around us seen in the minutest items can be awe-inspiring!

This small “observation” (6”x 9”) was made with watercolour pencils.  This is a wonderful medium to work with because with the tip of a pencil you can really “dive into” the item you are studying with the smallest of colour tones, then slightly blend it with a watercolour brush and water!  These kind of creative “practices” can lead one to see better what is truly in front of you and be aware of things that might have been “hidden” before…