The term ‘still life’ describes the stillness of painted objects. It also requires a certain stillness of the painter.
Painting a still life is a quiet, introspective practice. My mind needs to separate from daily agitations and sink into meditative observing. Unmoving objects gift me with unlimited time. When painting people or landscapes, I work frantically against the changing light and living movement, racing to capture what I see. Indeed, some artistic skills are learned to cope with just that: the rapid changes in scenes and people.
Objects are carefully selected, composition considered, and interrelationships of objects deliberate. When sitting down to paint, a slow visual rewiring occurs. Unexpected aspects emerge- small reflections, turning points, relationships, negative spaces and colours. Simple objects- fruit, flowers, folded cloths - are discovered to have potency, subtlety and beauty.
