Before Sunrise 8″ x 10″ Oil on canvas – $475

I titled this piece Before Sunrise. I was thinking about those early morning moments when the world is still dim and quiet. I imagined a table like this catching the faint light of dawn. Perhaps a bright moon was still lingering and slipping through a window.

This painting began as an exploration of working on a dark ground. A friend was experimenting with black backgrounds in one of her classes, and we decided to try it too. Starting from darkness changes how color behaves—light has to be invited in slowly.

The yellows and oranges started to feel like small sources of warmth against the cool, shadowed space. Everyday objects—a bottle, a carafe, a piece of fruit—became part of a quieter mood. It’s like a scene you might notice if you woke early and wandered into the kitchen before the day begins.

I’m always drawn to these in-between times of day. They carry a softness and a sense of possibility that feels a lot like painting itself.

What does this piece stir in you? Please share in the comments.

Categories: Interiors, New Paintings, Original oil paintings, Still LifeTags: contemporary still life, dark background, dramatic light, everyday objects, expressive brushwork, glass bottle, morning light, oil on canvas, orange fruit, still life painting, vibrant colors