As an experienced art writer and creative consultant for Pencil and Paint Muse, I’ve had the privilege of exploring a wide range of artistic techniques, creative processes, and inspirational approaches. In our 15 years installing… One genre that has always captivated me is the ever-evolving world of still life painting. From the classical masters to contemporary visionaries, the potential of this timeless subject matter continues to awe and inspire.
In this article, we’ll delve into the modern methods artists are using to breathe new life into the still life genre. We’ll examine how they are pushing the boundaries of traditional techniques, infusing their work with fresh perspectives, and engaging viewers in unexpected ways. Whether you’re an aspiring artist seeking to expand your creative horizons or an art enthusiast eager to discover the latest trends, this exploration of modern still life painting is sure to ignite your passion.
Capturing the Essence of Everyday Objects
At the heart of still life painting lies the fundamental act of observation. Modern artists are elevating this practice, finding ways to transform the mundane into the mesmerizing. Lorn Curry, a Canadian artist whose work we featured on Pencil and Paint Muse, explains his approach: “There’s a secret language written on the surface of every painting. For the most part, only the person who created the piece can fully understand it.”
Curry’s still life paintings possess a captivating sense of intimacy, as if each canvas offers a glimpse into the artist’s inner world. He states, “When I look at my paintings, I can tell if I was in a good mood while I was painting it or if I was sad or bored, or any of a hundred emotions. I can read the thoughts that were occupying my mind at the time.” This deeply personal connection to the subject matter is a hallmark of Curry’s work and a testament to the power of observational drawing and painting.
Contemporary artists are also finding innovative ways to engage the viewer’s senses beyond just the visual. Fiona Carvell, a pastel artist known for her still life compositions, explains her approach: “Each object has a surface, a density, a texture. We see with our eyes but also gain information from touch, smell, and taste. Considering how these things can be incorporated into an artwork is endlessly fascinating and always challenging.”
Carvell’s series featuring kitchen utensils and household objects invites the viewer to not only appreciate the technical mastery of her pastel techniques but also to connect with the physicality of the subjects. By highlighting the tactile qualities of these everyday items, she encourages a more immersive and multisensory engagement with her work.
Embracing the Contemporary Zeitgeist
While traditional still life painting upheld a reverence for the material world, modern artists are finding ways to imbue their work with a more conceptual edge. Dawn Woolley, a photographer whose still life compositions challenge conventional perceptions, states, “I read the paintings from a phenomenological perspective, so I think about what my experience of looking at them is.”
Woolley’s use of digital photography and mixed media approaches allows her to layer meaning and invite the viewer to question their assumptions. In her work, the still life genre becomes a vehicle for exploring broader themes of consumerism, identity, and the human condition. By subverting traditional tropes, she encourages a more critical and thought-provoking engagement with the subject matter.
Similarly, Emma Bennett, a painter whose work was featured in the exhibition “All Coherence Gone? Historical Currents in Contemporary Still Life,” utilizes historical references as a springboard for her own conceptual explorations. Bennett’s paintings, which often incorporate elements from earlier still life masters, “invert this principle by working painting from historical print reproductions of still life paintings, the sort to be found in old book illustrations and postcards.”
This practice of appropriation and quotation allows Bennett to not only pay homage to the genre’s rich history but also to challenge preconceptions and invite new interpretations. Her work navigates the fine line between reverence and irreverence, ultimately expanding the boundaries of what a still life painting can be.
Pushing the Boundaries of Materiality
Alongside the conceptual shifts in modern still life painting, artists are also exploring innovative material techniques that push the boundaries of the medium. Fiona Carvell’s pastel series featuring reflective surfaces, such as spoons and ladles, exemplifies this approach. She shares, “I deliberately left the mark-making loose and light, reflecting fragility and age. The smallest doll, which I took to be a child, had some damage to the face, with the nose and mouth somewhat disfigured.”
By embracing the inherent textural qualities of the pastel medium, Carvell imbues her work with a sense of physicality and vulnerability. The delicate, expressive brushwork and subtle tonal gradations evoke the weathered and imperfect nature of these humble objects, inviting the viewer to appreciate the beauty in the imperfect.
Similarly, Clare Chapman’s abstract paintings, which she describes as “fundamentally abstract things, but they are still life,” explore the boundaries between representation and pure abstraction. Her canvases present ambiguous forms and blurred surfaces, challenging the viewer to engage with the work on a more visceral, emotional level.
Chapman’s bold, experimental approach to acrylic painting techniques, including the use of unconventional tools and spontaneous mark-making, creates a sense of visual tension and ambiguity. Her work asks the viewer to consider the very nature of what constitutes a still life, pushing the genre into uncharted conceptual and material territories.
Reviving the Past, Envisioning the Future
While modern artists are pushing the boundaries of the still life genre, they are also finding ways to pay homage to the rich historical legacy of this artistic tradition. Kenne Grégoire, a Dutch painter whose work was featured in the “All Coherence Gone?” exhibition, explains, “Contemporary art appropriates from baroque art to re-invigorate issues that were certainly present in this historical other but not necessarily with the same emphasis and under the same premises.”
Grégoire’s paintings, with their chiaroscuro lighting and meticulously rendered surfaces, evoke the grandeur of the Dutch Masters while infusing them with a contemporary sensibility. By reinterpreting the formal qualities and thematic concerns of the past, he breathes new life into the still life genre, creating a dialogue between the historical and the modern.
This exchange between past and present is not limited to painting, as evidenced by the work of Krista van der Niet, a photographer whose “Flinders” series pays homage to the Dutch still life masters. Van der Niet’s photographic approach to still life, which she describes as “an approximation” of historical works, invites viewers to consider the evolving role of the camera in capturing the material world.
By blending digital techniques with a reverence for the past, Van der Niet’s work highlights the continued relevance and adaptability of the still life genre. Her images capture the essence of the Old Masters while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of what a still life can be in the digital age.
Cultivating Connections Through Storytelling
Perhaps one of the most compelling aspects of modern still life painting is the way in which artists are using the genre to forge meaningful connections with their audiences. Fiona Carvell’s series featuring everyday kitchen utensils, for example, is not merely a display of technical prowess but a celebration of the personal narratives embedded within these humble objects.
Carvell explains, “The subject is not the object, but the lives connected to them.” Her paintings of ladles, spoons, and other household items become vehicles for exploring the rich tapestry of human experiences, from cherished memories to the passing of time. By imbuing these mundane items with a sense of significance, Carvell encourages the viewer to reflect on their own relationships with the objects that shape their daily lives.
Similarly, Lorn Curry’s still life paintings often serve as a conduit for evoking shared experiences and universal human truths. He recounts a memorable interaction with a collector who was moved to tears by his depiction of heirloom tomatoes, recalling her own childhood memories of sneaking into the garden to enjoy the sun-warmed fruit.
Curry’s work taps into the emotional resonance of food and its ability to connect us to our past, our senses, and our shared humanity. He views this “short-hand form of communication” as a rich vein of creative inspiration, inviting viewers to find their own personal stories within the frame of the canvas.
Embracing the Potential of the Still Life
As we’ve explored, the world of modern still life painting is a vibrant and ever-evolving landscape, where artists are harnessing a diverse range of techniques, materials, and conceptual approaches to breathe new life into this timeless genre. From the intimacy of Lorn Curry’s observational paintings to the conceptual provocations of Dawn Woolley’s photographic work, these creators are pushing the boundaries of what a still life can be.
By embracing the potential of the still life, modern artists are not only honoring the rich legacy of the past but also forging new pathways for the genre to evolve. They are inviting us to see the world anew, to find beauty and meaning in the everyday, and to connect with the deeper truths that lie beneath the surface of the material world.
As you continue to explore the ever-expanding realm of still life painting, I encourage you to keep an open mind, to experiment with new materials and techniques, and to let your own unique perspective and personal experiences shape the stories you tell. The potential of the still life is limitless, and the journey of discovery is one that promises to be both rewarding and endlessly inspiring.
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Example: Modern Abstract Painting Series 2024