Who thought Still Life was dead I thought it was “So Last Century”

Who thought still life was dead

Did you wonder if still life was old fashioned?

For a long time, I did!
For many years I just thought it was old fashioned and not for me. How wrong could I have been?

Were you one  who thought Still life was dead 
Ask yourself, What does a warm weather ‘plein air painter’ do in winter? When it is too cold to work out of doors, of course I retreat to the studio and work from my imagination. Sometimes from old paintings, watercolours and sketches.

There is always plenty to do. This year, for a change, I thought it was about time I tackled the Still Life genre. Q) Did you think still life was dead?

How I tackled still life painting!

And what a result, so far I have completed eight traditional still life paintings in oils, using antique mirrors, jugs, vases, silverware, brass, all placed on different cloths and fabrics. They can be a challenge in their own right. I’ve also loved painting them, each object has it’s own difficulties, like the shiny surfaces of

silver, and mirrors, the textural surfaces of fabrics, and gilded mirror frames etc. Depicting the play of light on folded cloth, all are challenges requiring thought and attention.

Who thought still life was dead

I’ve included a few here, to show what I mean. none of the objects need be valuable, it is amazing what can be found at second hand stalls.

So what do you think?
Is it a dead genre  ?

Do you  like what I have done here, and if you enjoy painting or drawing, don’t forget the humble still life. From one  Who thought still life was dead  This genre has plenty of life left in it still, and you will find it both challenging and rewarding.

Who thought still life was dead