I hear from time to time people saying that they find still-life paintings boring. They say something like “Oh, that is just another still-life, a cup and a jar. What is interesting in it?” or “I wanted to learn painting but the teacher made us paint still-lifes. It is so boring.”
But let’s look at still-life paintings closer and I will tell you what I like about them. You might also find something interesting for yourself.
It Starts with education
When I attended the art school, half of the education process included drawing and painting still-lifes. Each still-life to me was like a new story. I enjoyed studying the objects, their texture, and the correlations between them.
Careful Observation is Important
When you look at a good still-life you notice the harmony of the objects. Each of them is in its place. And it seems that if you move or remove one of the objects the harmony will be disturbed.
To understand the beauty of still-lifes you need to take time to study them closely. Each brush stroke has a meaning. Each of them is completing the story that the objects have to tell. Here you notice a reflection from a tablecloth on the apple, there is the reflection of a fruit on the shiny kettle.
It is Never Too Late to Develop Vision
Of course, it is better when you are introduced to art from childhood because as an adult it is difficult sometimes to find time just to enjoy the details of a painting. But it is never too late. If you start focusing on studying art from time to time just by looking at it, soon you will notice that your life perception has changed. You will start noticing some details you did not see before, like an interesting shadow on the wall, a reflection on a cup from another object, reflection of the morning sun on your teaspoon.
You find that life around you is more beautiful and harmonious than before. Because when you focus on beauty and harmony, you start noticing it everywhere, more and more.
You can see some of my still-life paintings created through the years in these photos. Some of them are available and can be found in the Shop.
