Stolen Moments – 14″ x14″ Oil on canvas – $1140
An intimate still life reflecting the quiet moments we carry but rarely share.
A white mug, a bright orange, and a pair of well-worn books rest together on a softly patterned cloth. Nothing elaborate—just a small arrangement of ordinary things. Yet the space between them feels quietly held.
I painted this piece thinking about the private moments that pass through a day almost unnoticed. A cup set down. A book left open. Light moving gently across the table. The floral cloth beneath it all carries a woven pattern that reveals itself slowly, much like the quiet rhythms that shape our inner lives.
The painting began with mixing color for the background. Rather than reaching for black, I moved toward the variety of subtle colors I was seeing and allowed those to guide the atmosphere of the piece. From there I began blocking in the other areas of color, pausing often to see how the painting was working as a whole. Each pass of color shifts the neighboring hues.
I tend to pay close attention to the shadowed areas first. As the painting develops, more vibrant notes begin to emerge. Here, the orange and the white cup gradually became carriers of light alongside the books, helping guide the feeling of the painting and what it wanted to say.
If this piece resonates with you at all, I’d love to hear your comments and experiences with quiet moments. Enjoy, Catherine
Categories: Interiors, New Paintings, Original oil paintings, Still Life
CATHERINE J MARTZLOFF / Bright and Expressive Original Oil Paintings 
Catherine, I loved this in the first millisecond! It reads so well with the red line that threads through the piece. The shapes are both simple to comprehend, yet increasingly complex as I linger in them. And your orange is proudly outrageous on that tablecloth! It all works wonderfully together.
Thank you Sarah! That means a lot to hear. I was surprised with the composition and how it came together.