Clear and Opaque – 10″ x 10″ Oil on canvas – $400

In this intimate still life, I was drawn to the relationship between solidity and transparency. This reflects my own life experience. The more transparent I am, the more solid ground I find within myself. My paintings often reflect back things I am personally working on. In creating this artwork, a clear mason jar and a richly hued ceramic vessel coexist in the same space. They offer a contrast of weight and light. A green bowl anchors the composition, its shadow merging with the others in unexpected ways. Behind the vessels, a patchwork of color and pattern brings energy and rhythm. It frames the objects with a sense of movement and depth.

There’s something instinctive about the way these elements come together—color, form, shadow, and memory—guiding me toward balance without overthinking. This piece is part of a new body of work all grounded in a square format. It explores those moments of quiet intuition. In these moments, composition feels more discovered than planned even though it’s contained in a “frame”.

If this piece speaks to you, I welcome your questions and thoughts. Please feel free to get in touch anytime at cmartzloffart@gmail.com.

Categories: Interiors, Linked Instincts: The Space Between Glass and Frame, New Paintings, Original oil paintings, Still LifeTags: art for sale, clear and opaque, colorful paintings, everyday objects, expressive realism, glass and ceramic, green bowl, modern art, oil on canvas, oil paintings, patterned backgrounds, square format paintings, yellow vase