Study in Red and Gold – 10″ x 10″ Oil on canvas – $400
Study in Red and Gold began quite simply. There was a handful of vegetables on the table. A visit from my friend Julie added to this simplicity. She brought an eggplant and a few smaller peppers. It takes us a bit of exploration, moving things around, adding and subtracting pieces. Ultimately we find what is of interest to explore in the painting session. In this case, the composition took shape in that easy, spontaneous way that often leads to discovery.
Bright and cheerful, the painting captures a moment between seasons, as late-summer color lingers and autumn begins to arrive. The warm reds, yellows, and oranges evoke a feeling of harvest and abundance. They celebrate ordinary beauty and shared time. Like painting with a friend. It also reminds me of getting older and being “between seasons” so to speak. The experiences harvested over the years are valuable. But to remember there is a life to live now.
This paintings background elements are a reappearance. Elements from an earlier still life. Shapes and colors from a previous painting that subtly connect the past and present. This layering became an unexpected part of the work’s meaning for me. It raised questions about time and perception: what belongs to now, and what is remembered? The objects on the table coexist with the echoes of a past composition. The present moment of painting also shares this space. I’m keeping that idea as a point of inspiration. It shows how painting can quietly explore the fluidity of time. It also illustrates the way beauty weaves through it.
Enjoy the tiled gallery below. If you have any questions please reach out to me at cmartzloffart@gmail.com. I’d love for this to find a warm and welcoming home!
Categories: Interiors, New Paintings, Original oil paintings, Seasonal art, Still Life
CATHERINE J MARTZLOFF / Bright and Expressive Original Oil Paintings 