The skies may be grey and the trees absent of leaves but the joyful spirit of colorful flowers remain in my studio. 

This past week I had over 30 paintings to install in a solo show that will be up through the beginning of March. My intention for the show was to showcase a body of colorful and light hearted paintings. In preparation for the show I decided to paint a couple of larger pieces and this is one of the outcomes. Inspiration for the painting came from a smaller 8″ x 10″ still life done during the summer when the zinnias were in bloom. It was their simplicity and vibrant color that attracted me in the first painting and really fit the spirit of what I was aiming toward creating in curating this show.

I liked the idea of a square format and worked from a cropped version of the original above. It’s always an interesting experience to work larger – the canvas feels so much closer and encompassing. My brushes need to get larger and more paint is required. As an experience it can feel a little daunting but once I’m in the “groove” surprises unfold and a new painting comes to life with similarities of the original but also it’s own unique feel.

This painting in particular has a childlike sense of wonder. The simple petals and bold, bright colors take me back a bit to the 60’s and 70’s “Flower Power” era. I remember loving to draw flowers back then. I can’t say that this painting has a political origin but perhaps it’s an expression of my own internal change and search for equal rights.

This painting was created on a stretched canvas in oils and is a signed original. If you have any questions or wish to purchase this painting, contact me at cmartzloffart@gmail.com.
Thank you! Catherine

Categories: Flowers, Original oil paintings, Still LifeTags: 60's and 70's, art, art for sale, artist, colorful paintings, contemporary art, contemporary women artists, expressionism, flowers, glass canning jars, inspiration, oil painting, oil paintings, painting, pink, pop art culture, women artists, yellow, zinnias