The Season Between – 14″ x 18″ Oil on canvas – $945

These winterized hydrangeas came straight from my yard, much like the ones in Warm Recollections. I’m always struck by how they transform in the colder months. The blooms soften into muted clusters. The leaves deepen into that rich mahogany red. There are surprising flashes of yellow-green and plum woven through them, colors that feel both grounded and luminous at once. As I was painting, I kept noticing how the leaves had a season of their own. It was something beyond fall and winter. They form a palette that doesn’t quite belong to one or the other.

I paired the hydrangeas with my friend’s family copper pail. The pail is a piece with a beautiful, timeworn patina. I pushed this patina a little further for the sake of the painting. The pine cones were added last. They give a gentle nod to the winter months. This addition rounded out the scene. Altogether, the piece holds a warm, in-between feeling. It embodies a quiet mix of shifting seasons and memory. It also features the subtle glow that emerges when old objects meet vibrant color.

If this piece speaks to you, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Catherine cmartzloffart@gmail.com

Categories: Nature, New Paintings, Original oil paintings, Seasonal art, Still LifeTags: botanical painting, contemporary oil painting, copper tones, Expressive Color, fine art, hydrangea art, modern realism, Nature Inspired Art, seasonal artwork, winter palette, Winter Still Life, women artists