Caught on Monday 10″ x 8″ Oil on canvas – SOLD

Sometimes a painting just arrives without much planning, and this one was like that. I set it up right in my kitchen, where the natural light feels brighter and truer than in my studio. That light gave the whole piece a freshness I wanted to capture. What struck me most was how the colors—though lively and bold—settled into a harmony, circling around similar values. It gives the painting a certain richness, a warmth that hints at the shift toward fall. The mood of this piece feels like a bridge between summer’s abundance and autumn’s quieter tones.

It also brought me back to the feel of plein air painting, and how light can shape what you see. Too much direct sun can trick your eye. It makes you paint darker than you intend. I’ve always found that shade (or an umbrella) is a painter’s best friend. Those memories surfaced as I painted this bouquet of zinnias—flowers I can’t resist painting again and again. Their color feels joyful and abundant. I’m also aware that the season is shifting. Soon these blooms will fade. Perhaps that’s why I feel compelled to catch them now. I want to preserve their energy on canvas before autumn fully settles in.

If this painting speaks to you, I invite you to spend a moment with the gallery below. Each view reveals a different detail—like catching the zinnias fresh in the light all over again.

Reach out to me here with any questions – cmartzloffart@gmail.com

Categories: Flowers, New Paintings, Original oil paintings, Still LifeTags: bold floral art, kitchen studio painting, plein air inspiration, seasonal flowers art, still life with zinnias, summer to fall transition, zinnia painting