Creative inspiration comes from many places and I’m no stranger to a thrift shop shelve of treasures; besides there’s something that feels really good about buying “used” outside of the recycling factor.  And while I can appreciate “new” it’s not always necessary. 

So it is for the pitcher in this still life – a somewhat recent thrift shop acquisition. I went with the intention of seeing what kind of things I might find inspiring as still life subjects.   In less than 5 minutes my eyes rested upon this lovely vessel.  I liked the simple ordinary quality it had and the price was right – I think $5 with 50% off.  Hard to pass that up!  After getting it home, I had to think about it a bit in terms of potential use.  An uncertainty stirred inside me as I wasn’t clear on what I would put with the object for a painting, as charming as it was.  Before long I had gathered up a few other handmade ceramic “rejects” I had around seeing their shapes as interesting and their imperfections attractive. 

Clearly not a realistic representation as this is something I might have done in the past.  I keep finding these abstractions compelling ingredients to my creative process and a space in which I can continue to explore color and the order of things in a way that makes room for the glorious imperfections and abstractions of life.

Categories: Flowers, Still LifeTags: abstract, abstract art, abstract paintings, abstract still lifes, art, art collectors, colorful paintings, contemporary art, home, horizontal, imperfection, large still life paintings, oil paintings, rendered impressions, still life, still life paintings, wall art, women artists