By Chelsea Reed
One of the best qualities about still life art is that it encourages the viewer to enjoy the moment. The piece sets the mood and invites you to walk right up and have a front-row seat into the scene. This classic genre is pleasantly attractive and instantly creates a relaxing atmosphere.
Check out these five pieces that embody the classic characteristics of still life with a fresh modern twist below.
Early spring blooms like daffodils don’t last very long, but when they bloom, they’re a showstopper! This bouquet reminded the artist of her grandmother. A vintage whiskey mug serves as its floral vase. Its charming nicks and wear from age provide a fitting irony to the daffodils’ fleeting beauty, both eternally captured in the rich textures of oil paint.
This witty painting not only features clever wordplay in its title, it’s a fascinating reminder that coastal beauty can be found in all sorts of unusual places. From the glistening stars of a clear night sky over the beach to the unseen starfish in the ocean’s depths, to the preserved starfish on a fireplace mantle shining in the Outer Banks sunshine, this painting remarkably embodies all of these natural wonders. The mantle even casts the appearance of a bridge over the sound waters with billowy clouds in the background from a distance!
A curiosity about time is that it can seem like you’re in a place forever - until one day, you’re not! Change happens slowly, quietly, but permanently. Not everyone you’re with will always be there. We love how the soft teddy bear glowing in the sun by the little library is a gentle reminder to cherish the good things you have right now. And it’s good to honor the past, too!
Oftentimes peace and quiet won’t fall on your lap - you have to make time for it. This soft shining pastel art is a thoughtful tribute to the sacred act of tea time. The glistening cup of tea gently reminds us to take in the sights, sounds and even scents of enjoying a cup. Its practical square shape is a perfect accent for the kitchen, a hallway, or even a cherished sitting nook to accompany your own tea break.
Speaking of break time, it’s hard to resist a good rocking chair. This rustic scene evokes country French vibes and invites the viewer to stay awhile. An elegant vase boasts colorful flowers that might have been harvested from a nearby garden. This lovely etching has embossing and is unframed which means you can choose whichever frame you want to complement your decor.
Push the “pause button” on life and be inspired by relaxing still life art at Seaside Art Gallery. Check out the online collection here!
Chelsea Reed is a copywriter who writes winning content, articles, blogs, and websites from her base in North Carolina. She might not be building sandcastles or swashbuckling with pirates these days, but the Outer Banks beaches continue to keep her young at heart.
It’s the truth: life would not exist without light. From the greatest to the smallest, light is essential for most living creatures on Earth to survive.
One of an artist’s greatest achievements is depicting the mastery of light in paintings. There’s no such thing as a pigment in “light” color, so painters must diligently express the illusion of light by employing a complexity of colors that depict placements of shadows, sunny areas, reflections, and so on to the naked eye.
Majestic and awe-inspiring, Lorraine Dey’s acrylic paintings harness nature’s extraordinary moments on the canvas. Her award winning work is showcased far and wide in the United States, Canada, and even Finland.
