Utensils

Although subjects like flowers, wine bottles and glassware, fruit and the like are traditional in still life, there are many other possibilities. A few years ago one of my own interests was kitchenware. That is, implements and appliances you might find in someone's arsenal. Some of the objects chosen at the time were humble, some were antique, and some were just for the fun of it.

"Alone," oil on panel

"Alone" is very small at 8x6 and monochromatic. A study of a salt shaker, painted on a gessoed panel, it was done with raw umber and white. From this small beginning grew several years of small quick paintings, often with a food- or kitchen-related subject.  

 

"Creamer," oil on composition board

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A good example of the work of those years is "Creamer," another small oil, painted on an archival composition board. It's about 9x6. The composition and opportunities for interplay of color and edges were what drew me to this particular subject. 

"Breakfast," oil on panel

With "Breakfast" came more objects in the painting. This particular work is 8x10 oil on panel. The work was done as a study of how to render the shiny, white enamelled surface of this old coffee pot The antique pot paired well with a checkered tablecloth and chocolate donut. A perfect breakfast.