Pottery and Glass

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Here are some more of the bottles from my collection and an old ceramic pot and plate I found at a yard sale. The purpose here was to paint realistically and yet obtain some abstraction by arranging the bottles so that the plate and pot would look distorted through the glass.

Light Through Old Bottles

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I have a great collection of old bottles for my still life arrangements. Some I purchased on eBay, others I bought at yard sales and a few I dug up in my own backyard. Yup. I live in Sag Harbor, NY which was established in the early 1700s. Buried household trash from over 300 years ago is buried treasure for me! This painting features four of my dug-up finds: the green bottle in the back right, the amber bottle on the left, the whisky bottle in the front and the tiny blue glass jar in the foreground.

Saratoga Spring

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My new gallery, Spa Fine Art  in Saratoga Springs NY, has asked me to feature their local bottled water in some of my still life paintings. Of course, it was its natural mineral springs, once thought to cure all sorts of ailments that first put Saratoga on the map. This wonderful little town still has a few spas which include treatments with the local water, but it is best known today for its horse racing and in summer, as home to New York City Ballet. Most importantly, it is where my wonderful daughter, Edwina, has spent the last four years as a Studio Art Major at Skidmore College. She graduates in just a few weeks and then, watch out art world!!!

Daffodils with Bottles

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I have a lovely crop of daffodils this year growing outside my front door. I swear that every time I walk by them I can hear them screaming, "paint me, paint me!" They certainly do make very cooperative subjects - heads held high, draped in bedazzling color and compliments to my blue bottles. The only downside to these yellow marvels is their short life span, just about two weeks. I am painting as fast as I can!

Demitasse in Blue

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I have certainly worked this still life set-up to death, but I don't care, I have thoroughly enjoyed it. Honestly, when I find an arrangement of objects that "works," I think it is a good idea to get as many variations from it as possible. It helps me get a better handle on painting, in this case, the apples, the bottle, the orchids and cup. Overall, I am very satisfied with my "orchid series."

A Little Demitasse and Orchids

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I found a set of demitasse cups and saucers at a local thrift store. They are so sweet, and just the right size for my shadow box still life setups. I love the little glint of gold along the lip of the cup. So fun to paint.

Orchids with Sugar Bowl and Bottles

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I am so excited to have remembered a painting process that I read about years ago in Richard Schmid's book Alla Prima and just recently saw demonstrated by Daniel Keys in one of his painting videos. The basic idea is to look at the still life, determine the shape and color of an area and then put that color and shape directly onto the canvas. Return to the still life, look again, determine the next color and shape you see and then put that down directly onto the canvas. There is no underpainting, no glazing, no reworking. One precise color, value and shape placed repeatedly on the canvas until the painting is complete. When I DON'T use this method, I often find myself "repainting" the painting several times over which is obviously very inefficient and incredibly frustrating. I am so happy that I was reminded of Schmid's technique by watching Key's video. I am determined not to slip back into my old lazy painting habit of just going round and round on the canvas until it all works.

Orchids and Bottles

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I told you I felt an "orchid series"coming on! This is a new size panel for me, and I love it.  It's lots of fun to set up a still life when you've got a bit of elbow room.

Orchids to Scale

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Please remind me NOT to put a round object dead center in the middle of a still life set up ever again. It is absolute self-sabotage.

Orchids and Apples

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My grocery store sells small orchid plants. I bought a few the other day. They are perfect for still life. The blooms last quite a long time and the buds open slowly. I think I feel an "orchid series" coming on.