Still lifes are popular subjects for artists. Invariably when someone signs up for an art class, the instructor arranges a group of bottles, jars, flowers, fruit and other items and tells them to begin drawing, or painting. I often take painting classes with the Michigan City Art League, because I enjoy being around other artists, and we frequently do still lifes. Well, it's cheaper than hiring a model and easier than taking everybody outdoors.
While I begin painting in the traditional impressionist style often favored by instructors (and buyers), invariably I translate this into later Pop Art paintings. That happened with the three still lifes featuring wine bottles shown below. I did the Pop Art versions at home, then later brought them to class. (I'm not sure if the instructor appreciated my audacity.).
Incidentally, I have done six paintings that featured wine bottles. Three previous paintings that hung in an exhibit of my work at Basil's Restaurant in Michigan City sold last year. This should tell me something about how to make a living as an artist, but it probably won't. I enjoy painting what I want to paint too much to get trapped painting the same themes over and over again. Nevertheless, if you have a favorite wine bottle you would like painted on commission, give me a call.
THREE STILL LIFES: Acrylic on canvas. 20 by 24 inches. Framed. They started as three individual still life paintings, done in class, but when completed I hung them together, frames touching, at different heights--and it worked! I feel the paintings work best as a triptych, hung together, but they are priced for sale separately as well, left to right. $300, $350, $250; all three: $750
RED FLOWERS: Oil on canvas. 12 by 18 inches. Framed. Another canvas that began in an art class. It fits a niche between standard impressionistic painting and Pop Art. SOLD
TIFFANY LAMPS: (Two paintings) Acrylic on canvas: each 24 feet by 30 inches; wraparound canvas with art (including artist's signature) continuing around the edge. I saw an ad for this lamp in the newspaper and decided to do a Pop Art version. After doing the lamp with one blend of colors, I decided to try a second blend. The paintings would go well together in the same room, though not necessarily hung as close as they are pictured above. For instance, in a bedroom featuring twin beds. (The light in the upper right corner of the red painting is from a flash while photographing the art and does not appear on the art itself.) SOLD
SOUTHWESTERN SCENE: Acrylic on canvas. 24 by 20 inches. Framed. While searching for a second (winter) home, Rose and I rented a condo in Scotsdale, Arizona several years ago. The owner had grouped a blanket, hat and other items atop a ledge in the kitchen. I liked it and decided to paint a still life, rearranging some of the items on canvas to improve the composition. Someone from Chicago who visited my web site liked it too. The painting recently sold to a Chicago runner who visited my web site looking for training programs and discovered an image of this picture connected with the article on my "City Beaches" exhibit.. SOLD