Sunday, March 1, 2009



Quartet

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


A funny thing happens when you spend lots of "alone time" staring at inanimate objects--these things start taking on human characteristics in your mind. It suddenly occurs to you why it is called "still life." Apples and cups assume personalities; you imagine little scenarios--plot lines for your cast of characters. This is the point where it is probably a good idea to call an actual human friend and meet for coffee.

At some point in arranging the objects for this painting (I think it was when I plopped the pear in the cup) this began happening to me, and these things started "talking." Or more accurately, singing. I think maybe it's the jaunty angles of the stems that made me think of the cocked heads of people harmonizing in song.

Anyway...are you free for coffee?

11 comments:

Pierre Raby said...

Having fun with your new friends Don?
Great still life paintings by the way- I especially like "Red Onion and Bosc", your colors are amazing.
-Pierre

Anonymous said...

I think the Bosc is spreading a bit of gossip w/the D'Anjou and the apple is trying to listen in!Lovely colors...delicious series. Lu

artistbarb said...

I know what you mean about alone time as I have lots of it too, but see how creative it makes you??? And thats never a bad thing! At least you haven't begun to draw faces on them yet...or have you? Perhaps thats how the game Mr Potato Head was designed.
Where for coffee? Barb

Don Gray said...

Ha, yes Pierre, lots of fun! Thanks for the encouragement.

Don Gray said...

Lu, I think they might be making fun of my paintings--my ears are burning!

Love your interpretation.

Don Gray said...

Drawing faces on them will be the next step on my descent into madness, Barb. Did you see Tom Hanks in "Castaway?" Remember "Wilson?"

Anonymous said...

It's definitely a bluegrass band.

Anonymous said...

Hi Don:

Your old neighbor, Mark, here. You know, the one who used to harmonize with your old neighbor, Steve? Fun, fun, fun! I've got a nomination for tenor, lead, baritone and bass - but I'll leave that to your viewer's imagination.

And I fondly remember the quartet of good friends and a bottle of wine when the four of us all managed to get on the same side of our fence.

All the best, Don. - Mark

ps - your sweet onions amaze me! How do you find so many distinctions within such a narrow range? Everything's the same color (to the non-artist like myself) but the contrast is tremendous. Loving it on Contignac - MEL

Micah Neff said...

lol ya know, they really do look like they're gossiping.....and might get caught!

The onions are lovely. Is exactly why I've stopped for a few weeks to do colour studies and bronzings in my watercolours. I need that confidence that comes from knowing your range of tones, sombers, and brilliances.

Don Gray said...

Hey Mark, you old barbershopper--thanks for dropping by and taking the time to leave a note. Feels like we're visiting over the fence again.

I appreciate your nice words re the paintings. Yes, the onions are almost monochrome, aren't they? It's fun playing with that narrow range, where slight differences of color or value count for a lot. Come to think of it, it's kind of like some of the close harmonies I've heard your quartet sing!

Don Gray said...

Hi Micah--thanks for your good words. There's always more for all of us to learn in painting, isn't there?