Sunday, July 26, 2009

Copper Reflections

Still life is not my first subject choice, but every now and then there is this urge to try my hand.

Brilliant New York artist, Susan Martin Spar, always posts the most incredible still life paintings. So I thought, let me try again. With a bit of help from a fellow artist (we were lucky enough to use our wonderful teacher, Margie Johnson's studio while she was visiting her son in Australia), we set up this grouping.


I think I really wanted to try again because of the incredible reflections in the copper kettle. A spare bottle of red wine was found to round off the setting, which we p
romptly drank when I had finished.



32 comments:

Saundra Lane Galloway said...

Oh Liz, I DO love all the reflections in the copper! And I also really like the way the apples spread this out a bit! Very nice apples as well! Lovely composition...you should do still life more often!

Janelle Goodwin said...

Beautiful warmth and glow to this still, Liz. Yes, you should do these more often!

Becky said...

You can really see the glow from th copper kettle coming though. I would like a piece of cheese to go with my wine and apples please! The previous post was named appropiately, you got the point across.

Gary Keimig said...

I agree with Janelle. You should do more of these. This painting really came out nice. I really like your placement of color and the pot just glows.

Unknown said...

Congrats Liz on a wonderful deep, rich still life. Wish I could have been there to raise a glass to your success on this one.

Anonymous said...

Well done on this still life. Something I have yet to have a go at. Admiration all round!

Charlene Brown said...

The effect you've achieved with the copper is definitely the star attraction here, but my favourite is the wine bottle -- the colours in the highlights and reflections seem to be exactly right!

Ajay Patil said...

acheiving metal like effect especailly reflection is very dificult task and you have done it wonderfully

FitFoodieMegha said...

You should surely try still life painting..You are too good with it. I loved the colors, reflection and smoothness...Well done!

Arti said...

The copper is great..apples too!Still life is a tough nut to crack....well done, Liz.

Mary said...

This is a very challenging still life composition because of the various types of smooth and reflective surfaces and the power of all the reds. You have done a wonderful job of capturing each and keeping the whole in balance.

I am glad to have found your blog (via your comment on Nancy Medina's) and will return for more of your masterful artwork--as well as your occasional wise asides about life.

Art with Liz said...

Hi there Saundra, thanks so much for the visit and the comment.


Thank you so much Janelle. You are very kind. I did enjoy this one.

Art with Liz said...

Piece of cheese coming up Becky! Wish you could have been here to share the wine as well. Thank you.


Gosh, thank you so much Gary - and thank you for the visit.

Art with Liz said...

Wonderful, kind Sheila, I'll raise a glass to you tomorrow night when we open another bottle!


Thank you Carolann. I feel I'm progressing and will get to the abstract stage one of these days!

Art with Liz said...

I kind of liked the wine bottle as well Charlene. I loved the way the apples reflected in the dark glass. Thank you.


Hi Ajay. Thanks. The master of reflections in metal is Milind! One day maybe I'll achieve his level of expertise!

Art with Liz said...

Hi there Megha. What you say does ring a bell with me, but maybe it's just that there are so few still lifes that appeal to me. And I need someone to set them up as I haven't learned that art yet!


Thank you so much Arti!

Art with Liz said...

Thank you so much for the visit Mary and the exceptionally nice comment! Your work is something I aspire to - landscape painting, especially plein air, still escapes me. Your work is superb.

Mineke Reinders said...

Glad you followed your impulse: this is wonderful. I love the warm colors and deep tones in this painting, as well as the reflections in the copper kettle, and the juxtaposition of warm and cool colors.

Art with Liz said...

Thank you so much Mineke.

Marian Fortunati said...

Let's see Liz... Did you paint this so beautifully because you were anticipating the prize of being able to drink the wine after you finished???
Or was it the terrific studio space...
Or was it YOU!!!

It's funny... for some reason I keep missing your fresh posts until after they've been up for a while... Is your date/time stamp correct...? It's probably just me. Anyhow I'm glad I caught this as it's REALLY REALLY well done!!!
Good to hear from you as always.

Judybec said...

nice reflections in the kettle and on the bottle!! your apples have real character too!

Art with Liz said...

Hi Marian, wine certainly does help on a Tuesday evening at our painting class! I don't know why the timing is off - when I get someone who knows these things, I will get them to check!


Thank you so much Judy. And thanks for the visit!

Gwen Bell said...

This is gorgeous, Liz! Love the play of light and dark and your reflection in the copper is excellent. So are the apples. And the wine bottle. Oh heck...it's ALL just stunning!

Maree Clarkson said...

Hi Liz, as I was awarded the Kreativ Blogger Award by Crista from Nature As Is (http://nature-as-is.blogspot.com) I, in turn, have to state 7 things about myself and nominate 7 blogs of my choice, I have chosen to nominate you as one of my inspirational fellow-bloggers. Go to
http://artandcreativity-maree.blogspot.com/2009/07/blogger-award.html view the post.

Regards

Carol said...

Wow Liz. I think this must be one of the best you have done that I have seen! Can you enter it in for Selection? Well done - you can be very proud.

Barbara Pask said...

This is fantastic Liz, really excellent. You should paint more still life, love all the reflections.

Susan Martin Spar said...

As always I'm the last to get my two cents in. Liz...I thought I was looking at MY tea pot in a painting I'd forgotten I'd done! Only I think you're braver than me. The challenge of the red apples and the orange in the copper pot (which is an exact replica of mine, by the way)is perfect. You handled those apples like a pro. And the whole thing works well. Congrats and thanks for the lovely compliment!

Art with Liz said...

Thank you for the lovely compliment and the visit Gwen. I so really appreciate it.


Gosh Maree, thank you for the award! I will do something about it really soon. I visit you quite often now that I've found your blog.

Art with Liz said...

Thank you my friend Carol! Yes, I am going to try this one for the Annual Exhibition - let's see.


Thank you Barbara. One thing about still life is it gives you the freedom to use great big blobs of paint. But I battle to get the right elements and the right set up, so maybe that's why I don't do them enough.

Art with Liz said...

Dear Susan you are an inspiration when it comes to still life - I think you are the Master of the genre! So what an amazing compliment from you. When I saw the kettle in Margie's studio, it was an immediate challenge. But I needed the help of my fellow artist to set it up. The apples, I might add, are made of wood!

jason said...

I love the colors in this one. I wish I was sitting there with some good company and nowhere to be or anything to do any time soon. Lovely.

rob ijbema said...

love the mood and contrasts in this liz
very strong!