STILL LIFE

Using music as a stimulus for much of my artwork is great but sometimes focusing on “real objects” can be enjoyable and an interesting change, so this is why I periodically produce still life artworks.

As a gardener, a lover of leaves and flowers, of ceramics, of glass and textiles—to set up a still life is a beautiful thing. I belong to a group of ten artists who meet biweekly to paint or draw an arranged still life with fruit/ vegetables and pottery (produced by one of our group, the talented Margaret Hughes). It is amazing how different the finished work is for each of us - our styles so disparate.

Historically, depicting still life arrangements of food and inanimate domestic objects was considered somewhat low on the list of genres. Thank goodness for the Cubists/ Cezanne etc. - they raised its stature. Today, most of us can enjoy the sight of perfect fresh fruit and vegetables arranged in a fabulous handmade dish whether it is on our dining table or on canvas.