Still Life with the Budgie Mug
Oil on canvas 30 x 26"
Bridget Hunter 2012
I'm still trying to compose still life paintings before I start working, to arrange them and rearrange them and be patient - and its so difficult not to pick up the brush as soon as there's a couple of objects on the tabletop and to get that wonderful feeling of just putting on the lovely buttery initial oil strokes.
This painting though, was a bit easier as I took the objects used in a smaller still life posted here earlier and merely added to it. But I also wanted something with a bit of character and The Blue Budgie Mug came to mind. It's one of a pair, one with a pink budgie handle and one blue, which date back to 1959 when a friend of my mum and called Auntie Ada by my little brother and I, gave us these instead of chocolate Easter Eggs. I don't know what our reactions were at the time - I hope we looked suitably pleased because I just love them now.
Cute story about your mug Bridget. I know the feeling of jumping in too soon with a painting. You are right to compose the painting first. Can't wait to see your progress.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully done Bridget! Can I give you a tiny piece of advice on laying out still life compositions. I am not suggesting I know it all but a very recognized still life artist told me that things need to relate to each other by touching or overlapping for the most part. When I look at your still life I see several beautiful still life's within that one painting. The grouping with the pitcher is one,then the grouping down in front is another, each one would be wonderful by themselves. Sometimes we try to fit too much and our eye spends a lot of time running around the page. I know how hard laying out still life's can be and hope you don't mind my sharing. I love your loose style!
ReplyDeleteYour patience has paid off! This is a beautiful composition and your painting is luscious.
ReplyDeleteLove the story, too. I'm wondering if there is an image of a budgie on the mug (not that there should be one in the painting). Did you also have one?
I know Carole - its really difficult but will keep trying. Yours always look well considered but its good to know you also have a similar problem.lol
ReplyDeleteMy mug has a pink handle Melinda. No - there's not a picture on the mug its the handle that's the shape of a budgie. Thankyou for lovely comment.
ReplyDeleteHmm - Great advice Desiree - and I see what you mean. I tried to make the eye's resting place the halved plum because I loved the luscious colour and that all would lead up to it - but maybe it's not quite worked out. LOL
ReplyDeleteI idolize real life paintings from artists Bridget. This one is just perfect since Easter is already coming.
ReplyDeleteThankyou for commenting Grace. I love Still Life too - and recently saw some of Elizabeth Blackadder's looser works and was amazed at her compositions.
ReplyDelete