Still Life in Environment

I differentiate these painting from the regular still life painting. These paintings go beyond the traditional table imagery to more environmental with rugs, walls, pictures etc. 

"Remembrance"

Oil on Canvas

6' X 4'

This painting takes an old print from the 1920's and creates a theme around it incorporating the colors and the design elements of that period.

"Je Siue"

Oil on Canvas

6' X 4'

This painting was influenced by Magritte. In French is states "I am the fruit of the earth" and on the tablecloth is says "I am not the fruit of the earth" also in French. I wanted to create something more than a painting therefore, the red thread sewing the apple hangs down from the paining onto the floore space.

"Full Moon Quarter Moon"

Oil on Canvas

6' X 4"

The focus of this painting is the full moon scene through the window and the two quarter moons that is formed by the coffee cup sitting on the table.

"Checkered"

Oil on Canvas

6' X 4'

The objective of this painting is to play off the detailed and elaberate table cloth and wallpaper against the simplicity and whitness of the apple and the white dinner plate.

"Birch Trees"

Oil on Canvas

6' X 4'

The focus of this paintin is the window scene of birch trees, the orang on the table and the orange peel that has fallen onto the floor.

"Welcome'

Oil On Canvas with Shoes and Mat

7' X 5'

This painting is of a corner within a room that includes the table a wall hanging, rug and 3 pairs to shoes, 2 men's and 1 women’s pair. The rug and shoes have been coated with medium and then painted.

"Grandfather's C(l)ock"

Oil On Canvas with Mesh

7' X 5'

This is another room with table, 2 photos and hanging mesh. The imagery on the table is a grandfather’s clock a hen in a cowering position and a rooster in an aggressive stance.

"Reflection"

Oil On Canvas with Rug

7' X 5'

Another of my favorite paintings. It looks at reflective elements, diary, clock, glasses, old photos and a mirror. In this painting I not only included a rug which I painted into but a decorative floor surface also made out of canvas.

Still Life with Hammer and Nails

Oil On Canvas with Rug

7' X 5.5'

If I had to chose one painting that was at the top of my list of favorites it would have to be this painting. It is a look at a room environment which includes table and hanging still life picture and rug. I wanted to create a monochromatic painting with two objects in bright colors that acts a stabilizing element.

About My Work

I have always been concerned about the way people viewed painting. However, sculpture was the art form that drew my attention due to its three dimensional quality, enticing me into its own environment.

I wanted to do the same thing with my paintings and drawings, bring the viewer into the art works environment. That is the reason I allow the paintings to flow onto the floor space into the viewers space. In the still life drawings I like to hang the tables with their legs almost touch the floor, after all table legs do touch the floor.

Framed paintings always created a distance between me and the work. Someone said to me that looking at painting was like looking through a window into someone’s private life, a voyeur.

The element of art which always drew my attention was the emotional and psychological content. This became a way for me to express myself, often dealing with personal experiences.

“Anthropomorphic” is the best way to describe my work, giving human qualities to non-human objects. The painting “Self Portrait with Apple” is a good example. It is a table with elements of me, paint brushes and tubes in container with my name on it as well as other objects. On the table legs are an actual pair of my old socks and shoes.

Some of my art work is “in your face” works. Such a work is “Milliner with Colostomy” which is a look at a real individual and a part of life people want to push aside. Not all the art work is accepted. Maybe it touches a cord that is difficult to experience.

Tom Schneider