This painting came together on a slow, sunny afternoon just two weeks ago. A friend arrived at my studio door with a bundle of freshly cut purple and yellow coneflowers. She also brought some radiant zinnias from her garden. We ended up choosing the coneflowers for this still life, pairing them with a few pears. Something about the pairing felt earthy, generous, and full of late-summer life.
There’s also something quietly beautiful about the glass canning jar—its colorful distortions, its sturdy transparency. I love the way it holds the stems clearly, almost like a second arrangement within the bouquet. The structure of the stems, slightly bent and crisscrossed, becomes part of the composition itself. It feels homegrown and honest. The pears add warmth and a feeling of groundedness, echoing the same honeyed notes found in the petals.
Coneflowers have long been a favorite of mine. I used to grow them in a sunny patch just outside my house. They thrived with little fuss and plenty of charm. Over time, and too much garden rearranging, they disappeared—but I’ve always missed their cheerful uprightness and quiet resilience. In this painting, I was drawn to their familiar glow, contrasted with the soft, grayed backdrop. The mix of vibrancy and muted tones mirrors something I often seek in my work. It reflects the tension between liveliness and stillness. It captures the contrast between celebration and rest.
If this piece speaks to you, feel free to share it or leave a comment below. I’m always grateful for the chance to hear how these everyday arrangements resonate with others.
This painting is available. Please reach out through my contact page. You can also send me a message on Instagram for details.
Enjoy, Catherine
Categories: Flowers, Nature, New Paintings, Original oil paintings, Still Life, The Aura of Flowers Collection
CATHERINE J MARTZLOFF / Bright and Expressive Original Oil Paintings 