Thursday, February 26, 2009



Red Onion and Bosc

Oil on board, 5" x 7"
$125 plus $6 shipping in U.S.
SOLD


There is something I love about this simple design and color combination...restrained but somehow rich. The pear simultaneously fuses with and emerges from the surrounding colors.

What I strive for with still life is a sense of contained energy within stillness, a sense of air and space around the objects, and--most of all--a feeling for time...time frozen or time passing (that's the trickiest part.)

10 comments:

Dean Grey said...

I of course have to comment on this one because I LOVE painting pears.

Your work always has a serene feeling to it. I think it has to do with your use/choice of color.

How interesting that even though this painting is mostly done in browns, the brown pear doesn't get lost in the background.

Very peaceful.

-Dean

Katherine said...

Don this is another beauty. I agree with Dean, serene is a good word for the feeling of this painting.

William K. Moore said...

Excellent still life Don. Your treatment of surface texture demonstrates a deep knowledge of paint and a strong ability for observation. Makes me think of the skin of a red onion, how it feels when it crumbles away in the hand while cutting it up for a salad. And the pear - native of Oregon? Been enjoying all your paintings through the year(s) and am amazed at the skill and range.

Don Gray said...

Thanks, Dean. Wish I felt as serene as the paintings apparently look! I appreciate your insights.

Don Gray said...

Hi Katherine--thanks. Your blog is looking great!

Don Gray said...

Hi Bill,
Thanks for the visit. Your encouragement is so welcome, coming as it does from such an accomplished and imaginative painter. Likewise, I've looked forward to your posts over the years.

Leah Waichulis said...

Don, I've been really enjoying your blog. I can practically feel the texture on that red onion. Also, thanks so much for your comments about my work. I really appreciate it. :)

Don Gray said...

Leah, thanks a lot for the supportive comments. You do really fine work.

Sheila Vaughan said...

A wonderful restrained richness to this one Don. To get those two colours (onion and pear) to harmonise as you have done is no piece of cake either! Did you struggle with that at all or did it happen quite quickly?

Don Gray said...

Hi Sheila--thank you! Actually, this was one of those few paintings that just "happened" almost effortlessly. I didn't give a whit of thought to color harmonies--just plopped the objects down and smeared paint.