flailing about

This week, I started to explore still life, which led to the question: ‘What is ‘Still Life’? The definition that comes up on Google is:

‘a painting or drawing of an arrangement of objects, typically including fruit and flowers and objects contrasting with these in texture, such as bowls and glassware.’ Definition from Oxford Languages 

This didn’t sound quite right to me.

I’m not disputing the fact that this is exactly what comes to mind when someone says ‘still life’. And I certainly don’t belittle the incredible works of still life painted by masters of observation and interpretation. However, for me ‘arranged objects’ don’t feel like they have much to do with ‘life’.

Since writing my post about mess and order, I have thought a lot about the ‘indoor landscapes’ that we create and their evolving nature. I have started to observe carefully, how and why things end up where they do in my small apartment. These ‘accidental arrangements’ feel like they are much more alive to me, so that is what I chose to paint.

I painted this as an illustration for my ‘Mess and Order’ post mentioned above in direct response to this quote:

‘A kitchen sink doesn’t look complete without washing up liquid and sponge by it’s side in the same way that a stream without plants and rocks looks bare and unnatural.’

While I painted, I reflected on this. Rocks and plants by a stream serve a purpose and clearly so do washing up liquid and sponge. The other more temporary visitors to my ‘kitchen sink ecosystem’ have also ended up there for a reason.

The cloth hanging over the tap was hastily placed there with the vague idea that it’s less likely to get smelly out in the open. The rubber gloves were draped on top for the same reason. The crockery on the draining board is a direct result of my and my husband’s priorities. We would prefer to spend our time writing and painting than drying up. This in turn causes cups to be left in the sink…’if I wash it up, I have to make space on the draining board first’…The plant is there because I thought it would look nice…

Each item is a reflection of a small decision influenced by a way of living. A frozen snippet of life…

Still Life.

This train of thought gave me a new appreciation and enjoyment of our organic messes. Usually, I have a tight undertone of frustration that the cushions and blankets aren’t where they’re ‘supposed to be’. Over this past week, that has been replaced by a sort of warmth that they are where they ‘need to be’. They reflect our most comfortable, snuggly moments.

Our bookshelf is slightly different. It is more ‘arranged’ and is not such an active participant in our everyday life. However, it was not arranged to be painted; it was arranged to be a functional and aesthetically pleasing part of our living room. Each book reflects our values and passions. Each piece of tiny art was created or gifted by a loved one.

I think it can still qualify as ‘Still Life’ according to my new, personal definition 🙂

Week 7 Takeaways

I realise I haven’t actually spoken much about painting this week. I see this as progress. I haven’t felt so worried or insecure about how ‘good’ I am this week. I have just really enjoyed exploring these ideas in depth and illustrating them.

Of course, I still have so much to learn and am learning constantly. But somehow, using gray for shading rather than black doesn’t seem as interesting to write about.

Using my paintings as ‘illustrations’ is feeling very attractive and exciting to me. I am starting to write more extensively on other platforms about themes that I am deeply passionate about. Exploring how to visually represent my ideas feels like a wonderful motivation. It is a way to integrate the two things I love doing most. Woo!!