Lilacs Go Everywhere
This vibrant, whimsical still life painting began as an exploration of contrast—mixing traditional, vintage blooms with a contemporary twist. I paired lush, fragrant lilacs with a bold, utilitarian tote bag (a bright orange Bogg Bag), playfully bridging eras and styles. To unify the composition, my painting friend and I introduced a piece of decorative fabric featuring a homespun floral motif, which added a touch of warmth and nostalgia.
Engaging with this palette was both exhilarating and challenging. The soft, romantic tones of violet, mauve, and lavender in the lilacs created a vivid tension against the zesty orange of the bag. Somehow, it all came together—like a visual conversation between the old and the new—offering a fresh way of seeing the familiar.
“Beauty can travel with us—and joy often grows in the most
surprising containers.”
The title, Lilacs Go Everywhere, was inspired by the idea of movement—of carrying beauty into unexpected places, or reimagining a still life with a dash of spontaneity. The bag’s cheerful circular holes even suggested the possibility of light and air filtering through, nurturing something alive within. It made me think about how beauty can travel with us—and how joy often grows in the most surprising containers.
What would you tuck into a bag if you could carry beauty everywhere?
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Categories: Flowers, Nature, New Paintings, Original oil paintings, Still Life
CATHERINE J MARTZLOFF / Bright and Expressive Original Oil Paintings 