Standing Still

Collector's Focus: Still Life's

By John O’Hern

Despite their nutritional value, dandelions are the bane of the existence of homeowners devoted to impeccable lawns. Margot Glass elevates the
maligned plant in her lustrous gold point drawings of negative X-rays on black paper. Their lacy structure comes alive again in the delicate drawings. Exploring the ephemerality of seasonal plants, she says, “I prefer to draw grasses, weeds and other plants considered to be mundane or undesirable to discover the hidden beauty in overlooked natural subjects and elevate them through close examination.”Meyer Gallery, Aglow, oil, 52 x 60", by David Dornan.

Far from the ephemeral, David Cheifetz paints solid and traditional still life objects such as silver teapots, glass goblets and fruit—with a twist. His painting Overgrowth is a composition of tarnished silver objects, rusting saw blades and an ethereal vine encroaching on the setup—as well as the mysterious shadow of an unseen teapot—or the saw blade wishing it were a teapot. “I had been contemplating how a sharply drawn profile can in some ways be an unnecessary crutch while I paint,” he explains. “After all, if the interior of an object was sufficiently described with accurate texture, reflection, value, color, highlight, shadow, etc., wouldn’t the object be just as real, even without a crisply defined profile? How far down the road could I take this idea? I love paintings that are mostly mystery, with a minority of detail at the focus/foci…All profiles were painted as ghostly/amorphous shapes at first, with definition and detail restricted mostly to the interiors. Sharp edges and details were then minimally and selectively added to profiles for drama and focus.”Garvey|Simon, Blue Dandelion, 14 karat gold on prepared paper, 12 x 9", by Margot Glass.

David Dornan’s painting Aglow tells even more of the story of creating a still life. The diminutive rose sits in a glass bottle on the artist’s stand, in front of its large interpretation in oil. Subject and object are seen among items that tell the tale of the artist’s studio—the frequent setting of his paintings. Each object is a still life on its own. He says, “At a distance my paintings are depictions of familiar objects—cups and bottles, studio objects on a palette and, more recently, flowers—but the up-close view exposes the abstract juxtaposition and layering of paint, not the three-dimensional imagery. You can see the splotches, handprints, scratches—evidence of the way I put paint on canvas. There is interaction between the two-dimensional and three-dimensional aspects of my paintings.”Gallery 1261, Overgrowth, oil on panel, 16 x 16", by David Cheifetz.

Cavalier Galleries, The Big Apple, acrylic on mahogany panel, 16 x 12", by Jenness Cortez.

PoetsArtists, Tempus ad Requiem XXIX, acrylic on panel, 12 x 15¾", by Lorena Kloosterboer.

Jenness Cortez paints paintings within paintings. In The Big Apple she pays homage to Saul Steinberg’s iconic 1975 cover of The New Yorker, View of the World from 9th Avenue, one of his many graphic, stylized maps. The Saul Steinberg Foundation refers to it as “a parody of Manhattanites’ provincial perception of life beyond the Hudson River…” Cortez displays the framed cover above an equally iconic apple displayed on an ornate pedestal. For 20 years, Cortez was well known for her paintings of thoroughbred horses. She later turned to still lifes featuring iconic paintings by artists from Kandinksy to Grant Wood, set with objects relating to the theme or forms of the painting depicted. She remarks about her engaging still lifes, “All the past is our legacy. I reference this richness often and gratefully in my paintings. But for that gift to blossom in the present, both the craft of the artist and the receptivity of the observer are needed.”

In the pages of this special section are still lifes that range from traditional to Trompe l’Oeil images, showing the creativity that artists have. Artists often paint the works from their own meticulous arrangements, which adds to the complexity of this timeless genre.PoetsArtists, Unconditional Love, oil on panel, 20 x 20", by Jodi Gerbi.

PoetsArtists, Pack of Schwinns, acrylic on canvas, 36 x 36 x 1½", by Shan Fannin.

Rehs Contemporary Galleries, Inc., Traffic Jam, acrylic on aluminum panel, 24 x 30", by Kari Tirrell.

Rehs Contemporary Galleries, Inc., Yellow Rose, oil on panel, 12 x 8", by Todd M. Casey.

The PoetsArtists organization, fronted by curator and artist Didi Menendez, features contemporary artists working in a number of genres and styles. Among its still life artists are Lorena Kloosterboer, Jodi Gerbi and Shan Fannin.

Kloosterboer says, “I seek to capture the fascinating interactions between colors, light, shadows, textures and reflections and unite them in visual poetry. Symbolism infuses my compositions with what is for me an essential freedom of expression. It allows me to create a silent narrative imbued with positive messages and affirmations that I hope will move the viewer.”

According to Gerbi, “Resilience is finding something beautiful or meaningful to hold on to through hard situations; it is hope and how people survive. Painting the beauty found in the trash captures this resilience.” A painter of vehicles, Fannin says,
“I want my paintings to reveal that we have more in common with others than we think. No matter our age, gender or nationality, almost all of us have memories of a vehicle that influenced our lives. My ultimate goal is that my works encourage others to share their stories.” Rehs Contemporary Galleries, Inc. in New York City is home to a variety of artists, including Kari Tirrell, Beth Sistrunk and Todd M. Casey.

Tirrell says, “Old toys have a lot of character, and I particularly enjoy painting them. In my compositions, I tend to either position the toys in such a way as to create a narrative or carefully arrange them all jumbled together, perhaps inviting the viewer to linger. If the painting evokes in the observer a happy sense of nostalgia, I consider that a bonus.”

Sistrunk’s Zero Calories series depicts handmade lollipops paired with candies or desserts to celebrate nostalgic flavors. Of the series she says, “I wanted to bring a little sunshine and happiness into the world with my paintings.”

Lotton Gallery, Little Bouquet, oil on canvas, 14 x 18", by Gelena Pavlenko.

Rehs Contemporary Galleries, Inc., Blue Raspberry, acrylic and oil on panel, 6 x 6", by Beth Sistrunk.

Lotton Gallery, Joyous Feast, oil on canvas, 10 x 14", by Yana Movchan.

Lotton Gallery, Rose in Goblet, oil on canvas, 18 x 14", by Gelena Pavlenko.Cutter & Cutter Fine Art, Antique Sewing Machine with Scissors, pastel, 30 x 30½", by Daniel E. Greene.

One of Casey’s recent paintings, Yellow Rose, came about when he was moving the rose out of a still life setup and tied it to a string to dry. “As I tied the string to it, I hung it upside down in the area I had just removed it from and it looked beautiful with how the light struck it,” he says. “Instead of doing a drawing and then transferring it to a panel, I decided to just go for it alla prima. The painting turned out to be very poetic and I’m quite happy with the final painting.”

Lotton Gallery in Chicago features still life artists Yana Movchan and Gelena Pavlenko, both from the Ukraine. Movchan and Pavlenko studied fine arts and painting together at university. Movchan has said that by the age of 12 she had painted an apple over 100 times. Her newest still life shows a happy squirrel with his feast including apples, strawberries and nuts, aptly titled Joyous Feast. Pavlenko has subtle nuances in her still life called Little Bouquet. Her depth and range of colors in each rose are both bold and subtle, a quality found commonly in her works.Cutter & Cutter Fine Art, The Blue Teapot, pastel, 22 x 37", by Melissa Hefferlin.

Cutter & Cutter Fine Art, Tea Bag & Antiques, acrylic on board, 5 x 73/10", by Dean Mitchell.

Claudia Seymour, A Few of My Favorite Things, oil, 20 x 18"

Claudia Seymour, Lotus, oil, 18 x 14"

Claudia Seymour, The Pitcher Picture, oil, 20 x 20"

Jan Stommes, Corned Beef & Cabbage, oil on panel, 11 x 14"

Cutter & Cutter Fine Art has and continues to enjoy the blessing of representing some of the most sophisticated and enduring of artists. The gallery’s collectors always follow their heart in their choices for what works for them, and the gallery encourages them to seek and feel the passion that drives an artist’s creativity. According to Cutter & Cutter, “Every art collection warrants a still life work, whether large or small, complex or elemental, a well-executed still life painting will be enjoyed for a lifetime. Such original works of art are often the anchor of an art collection.”

Len Cutter, gallery owner, says, "Artists such as Daniel Greene, Dean Mitchell and Melissa Hefferlin have and are living their lives with the purpose of inspiring art collectors via their own search for creating works that are unforgettable and executed in a manner that renders them timeless.”Jan Stommes, Silver & Olives, oil on panel, 11 x 14"

Kathy Anderson, Green Tea and Yellow Roses, oil, 8 x 10"

Jan Stommes, Limes & Salt, oil on panel, 12 x 12"

Kathy Anderson, Red Roses, oil, 8 x 12"

Everyday things and special objects inspire Wilton, Connecticut-based artist Claudia Seymour. “Sometimes it’s a new antique or piece of fabric, and on other occasions it’s a simple trip to the farmers’ market and finding gorgeous fruit,” she says. “But whatever the actual starting point, my goal is always the same: to create a lasting image with the hope that it is at least as lovely as the original spark.”

In Jan Stommes’ still life paintings, everyday objects inform the titles of the artwork. For instance, Stommes says, “Limes & Salt used blues and greens to capture the anticipation of cold libations. The salt has been crushed and applied, the limes have been cut and the margaritas have been poured. All that is needed is one last squeeze of a lime wedge and the drinks will be ready to enjoy.”

Another of Stommes’ paintings, Corned Beef & Cabbage, is an homage painting to the artist’s love of creating recipes. “When I placed the various ingredients on the counter to make a traditional St. Patrick’s Day meal,” she says, “I liked the contrast of textures and colors and felt that it had to be painted.”

Everything Kathy Anderson paints comes from the same inspiration. “I’m in love with the subject, or the concept, or the color harmonies, or something else. The common theme is ‘I’m in love with’ the painting from the start, now how can I make the viewer feel the same?” she explains. “This is the same advice that I would give to a collector. If this is a painting that you respond to so passionately that you can live with it and always feel the same, then you must have it.”Matthew Bird, Chesapeake Pride, watercolor on paper, 22 x 30"

Matthew Bird, Magnolia Still Life, watercolor on paper, 22 x 30"Larry Brooks, Afternoon, oil on linen, 14 x 22"

Larry Brooks, Turban Squashed, oil on linen, 20 x 16"

Karen Budan, Color Riot, oil on panel, 16 x 16"

Larry Brooks, The Favourite, oil on linen, 35 x 32"Karen Budan, Pool Shots, oil on panel, 12 x 24"Inspired by the Dutch Golden Age, Matthew Bird’s still life paintings focus on meticulously realistic depictions of everyday objects and the dramatic interplay between light and shadow. “Given the inanimate nature of still life painting, I find there is a great meditative quality in elevating ordinary objects through careful and patient study,” Bird shares. “Rendering these subjects with precision and clarity reveals intrinsic value and allows the viewer to pause and enjoy the beauty found in everyday objects.”

“In [my] recent still lifes, I’m trying to not just paint things exactly as they appear, but to let them breathe, to have as much presence as possible,” says Larry Brooks, an artist based in Pasadena, California.
“I do consider them realist paintings, and as much as I want them to appear ‘real,’ it’s important that the evidence of the artist’s ‘hand’ (mine), is apparent. The selection and arrangement of objects, and especially the way they’re lit, has to suggest to me a certain poetic quality before I can start to paint them.”

Brooks likes the relationships to be harmonious but ambiguous so they “might evoke more than one interpretation, and not necessarily a literal one,” he says. “Colors, and sometimes the objects themselves, can change considerably as the painting develops, until a balance and hopefully beauty appears, and the painting is finished when it seems there’s nothing more I can add or subtract to make it better.”

Still life painting allows Karen Budan to create arrangements, adjust the lighting and set the stage to transform everyday objects to extraordinary. “I am especially drawn to compositions that include translucency and reflections. My painting style is realistic...I thrive on the challenge of creating a two-dimensional painting that looks as real as the setup itself,” Budan says. “Collecting still life paintings is no different than any other form of art—collect what grabs you and won’t let you go.”

Artist Robin Cappeci says the inspiration behind her artwork is, “To fulfill my God-given path in life, which is to enjoy painting what I love.” She advises collectors to “Choose artwork that speaks to your heart. Choose to own pieces that you know will bring enrichment and satisfaction to your life.”Karen Budan, Chocolate Martini, oil on panel, 20 x 16"

Robin Capecci, Lilacs in Antique Vase, oil, 20 x 16"Nancy Balmert, Ball’s Orange Calendula, oil on canvas, 28 x 22"

Abbey Ryan, Still Life with Italian Plums on Delft Plate, oil on linen on panel, 9 x 12" Painstakingly following the style of the Old Masters, such as Rembrandt and Caravaggio, Nancy Balmert employs the technique of lighting for effect. In her works, she creates what she calls “soft edges” and uses the intensity of the pigment to cause the subjects of her paintings to advance and recede. She combines the very best pigments available with a medium to produce works that will last literally for centuries.

Balmert has cultivated a strong reputation in the international art world, having received critical acclaim for her large floral paintings. In June, in Mantua, Italy, she was honored with the International Prize Artist of the Year 2019. Her next showcase is at Amsterdam Whitney Gallery in February 2020 with a Gala Champagne Reception and Valentine’s Soiree on Saturday, February 15, from 3 to 5 p.m.

“Painting for me is about paying attention and capturing a moment,” says artist Abbey Ryan. “Contemplative paying attention allows me to have an intimate relationship with my still life subjects. This mutual respect and exchange of energy manifests itself as gesture, movement, weight, edges, texture and color harmony. I carefully choose from my collection of handmade pottery and local co-op produce, and it is magic to me that my subjects can be simultaneously meditative and animated. Spending time pushing paint around is a way of life. It enriches my heart and mind and soul, and this inspires me to continue on the journey of painting.” Abbey Ryan, Silver Platter of Peaches with Acorns, Knife, & Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Ginger Jar (Homage to Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin), oil on wood panel, 12 x 16"

Syd Hale, Fall Display, oil on board, 8 x 38"Nancy Balmert, Tiffany Rose on Gold, oil and 24k gold leaf on canvas on board, 20 x 20"

++++

Featured Artists & Galleries

Abbey Ryan
Philadelphia, PA,
www.abbeyryan.com
Cavalier Galleries
3 W. 57th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10019, (212) 570-4696
www.cavaliergalleries.com
Claudia Seymour
Wilton, CT, www.claudiaseymour.com
Cutter & Cutter Fine Art
St. Augustine, FL
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
(904) 810-0460
gallery@cutterandcutter.com
www.cutterandcutter.com
Gallery 1261
1412 Wazee Street, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 571-1261, www.gallery1261.com
Garvey|Simon
New York, NY, (917) 796-2146
www.garveysimon.com
Jan Stommes
www.janstommesart.com
Karen Budan
karen@karenbudan.com
www.karenbudan.com
Kathy Anderson
kathy@kathyandersonstudio.com
www.kathyandersonstudio.com
Larry Brooks
Pasadena, CA, (626) 644-8006
www.larrybrooksart.com
Lotton Gallery
900 N. Michigan Avenue, Level 6
Chicago, IL 60611, (312) 664-6203
www.lottongallery.com
Matthew Bird
(410) 581-9988, www.matthewbird.com
Meyer Gallery
225 Canyon Road, Suite 15,
Santa Fe, NM 87501, (505) 983-1434
www.meyergalleries.com
Nancy Balmert
(713) 320-7190
nbalmert@comcast.net
www.nancybalmert.com