Offerings of the sweet pineapple

Pineapples are more than just sweet, tropical treats, they’re packed with vitamins, digestive enzymes, and antioxidants that support wellbeing.

And that part of the pineapple we throw away?

This holds its own beauty: A world of textures and an intricate pattern with gleaming gold tones. Observing a ripening pineapple in our fruit bowl, I was inspired to dedicate a piece of artwork to what has become so easy to overlook.

Eating slices of pineapple with a fork

My waste became my treasure

The skin of a pineapple is an unassuming marvel. Each scale creates a rhythmic pattern, a natural mosaic of shapes and shadows. Some areas catch the light, others fall into quiet shadow, creating contrast and depth. It’s both orderly and chaotic at the same time — a reminder that beauty doesn’t have to be polished to be remarkable.

In translating these details into an initial study on A5 paper, I worked to honour the textures, shapes, and subtle colour shifts of the skin. Layering alcohol markers, coloured pencil and gel pen allowed me to explore depth, translucency, and reflective qualities, while careful shading and highlight placement brought the surface to life. The resulting initial piece celebrates the discarded, elevating the pineapple peel from overlooked waste to a study in form and colour.

Gilded Pineapple Study - Alcohol Marker, Coloured Pencil & Gel Pen

In my larger watercolour and acrylic study, I embraced the contrasting properties of the two mediums to enhance the texture further. The fluidity and transparency of watercolour combined with the opacity and tactile quality of acrylic allowed me to build depth, highlight intricate details, and create a more dynamic surface that brings the pineapple skin vividly to life:

"Gilded Pineapple": Watercolour & Acrylic

Beyond the visual appeal, this project became a meditation on mindfulness. How often have I discard the everyday objects in front of me - fruit skins, leaves, or overlooked details in my surroundings without pausing to notice their form, colour, and textures.

My studio practice is what gives me the ability to see the "ordinary" through a different lens. Focusing on the pineapple skin at this scale allowed me to appreciate the pineapple itself, but reminded me of the small wonders that exist in the margins, and the quiet joy that comes from observing the ordinary with intention.