by Janet Walsh

A Basket of Onions 2005, oil, 16 x 20.

The dark background adds drama to this still life painting. However, the artist may want to consider softening the edges of the onions and making the light green shape on the top of the red onion more interesting. The left corner of the basket also seems inconsistent with the roundness of the top edge, and the shapes of light at the bottom of the basket could be more defined.

About the Critic
Janet Walsh, the president of the American Watercolor Society, has received many awards and honors, including the AWS Bronze Metal of Honor and the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Award. Limited editions and prints of her work have been published in the United States, Europe, and Japan. She is the author of Watercolor Made Easy: Techniques for Simplifying the Painting Process (Watson-Guptill Publications, New York, New York), and her paintings can be found in many corporate and private collections. Walsh has been featured in numerous museum shows across the United States. The artist studied at the School of Visual Arts and the Art Students League of New York, both in Manhattan.

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Comments

In so far as the remark about making the green buds more interesting, I would agree with Ms. Walsh. However, the structure of the basket seems fine.Notice that the basket has a thin wall and it is packed tightly with onions.This wopuld withpout doubt stretch the wall of the basket, thus making the wall appear 'out of shape'
I say the artist did a fine job of reporting that structure.
Although I too agree that the edges could use some softening.