"Artichokes" 8" x 8" acrylic and oil on panel

I love artichokes- always have- and many thanks to the first human that tried them. How did they know to steam them and dip them in butter and not eat the choke? Isn't it great that someone did all that research about wierd food for us?
The cashier gave me the "what the heck are these" look as she was looking up the price.
I adore those those cute young things- so much to learn ! I did a little research ( bear with me) and found out that......
The origin of artichokes is unknown, though they are said to have come from the Maghreb (North Africa), where they are still found in the wild state. The Globe Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus)^[2] is a perennial thistle originating in southern Europe around the Mediterranean. It grows to 1.5–2 m tall, with arching, deeply lobed, silvery glaucous-green leaves 50–82 cm long. The flowers develop in a large head from an edible bud about 8–15 cm diameter with numerous triangular scales; the individual florets are purple. The edible portion of the buds consists primarily of the fleshy lower portions of the involucral bracts and the base, known as the "heart"; the mass of immature florets in the center of the bud is called the "choke". These are inedible in older larger flower.( thank you WIKIPEDIA)
I like them also with mayonnaise and even cold in a salad.
I do not like them pickled as much....but are nice in hot dips!
In other news- This weekend is the annual art sale at the  North River Arts in Marshfield Hills, MA (Old Main Road, right off 3A) where they will be part of the Holiday Sale THIS Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 21 and 22. 10-4 are the regular hours. Those in the 'know' show up (and pay $15) for the 'Early Bird' hour, from 9-10 on Saturday, they get to scope out the deals from all the fine artists in the South Shore Area. 
I have 20 paintings there at rock bottom prices - and also don't miss my pal and mentor
Kelley MacDonald who's awesome blog got me in all this trouble.She has her incredible daily works at a reduced one time only price as well. Check her out.
Wait! There's more! -  Rockland open studios where several of my friends will be -be-don't miss MarySheehan Winn's studio-at the Sandpaper building- she's the bomb!
One last thing- I went to the "Avante Garde"opening at Oceanside friday- it was a blast.

Here is Tina Watson of Cohassett looking quite fetching next to the Zebra cow...