I started this piece thinking about a still life, but I realized while working alla prima that I needed to move away from the tried and tested. I was trying to explore that feeling when everyday objects seem to have a life of their own. That’s what I was after. The objects are there, as I placed them within their lighting context. But I could sense a movement between them, perhaps motion in the negative shapes around them. It’s a bit of a visual tug-of-war.
In reality, of course, the energy of the work comes from the composition and how the colors interact—this constant push and pull between warm and cool tones. This keeps your eyes moving around the objects and back. I’m fascinated by using familiar things—a table, a heavy object—without feeling the need to explain them away. Of course, you are free to see this work as a traditional still life with expressive tones. However, I wanted the painting to go beyond a first glance; I wanted it to take its time and reveal itself slowly.
Do you find yourself more drawn to art that tells a definitive story, or work that leaves the ending open? I’d love to hear how you navigate these particular spaces.
