Still Life Painting 1

"The Optimist"

Oil On Canvas

5.5' X 3.5' 

(2 separate canvases)

 

In this painting I wanted to move away from the table being a dominate object to emphasis on the floor.  The whiteness of the milk glass adds a contrast to the decorative table cloth. 

"Broken Dreams"

Oil On Canvas with Objects

5' X 3'

(3 separate canvases)

 

 

In this painting I wanted to use a round table top and create a rug image out of canvas that would then hold a number of broken toys.

 

"Seductive Still Life"

Oil On Canvas with Objects

4' X 2.5'

 

 

In this painting I wanted to create a still life that was actually quite sensual.  The fruit represents female sexual images which are placed on actual "doilies" attached to canvas and painted into.  The rug is sized and then painted into.  The leg of the table has an actual fish net stocking and on the carpet is (difficult to see) women's black high heals in which I have also painted.

 

"Black Bowl"

Oil On Canvas 

4.5' X 3'

(3 separate canvases)

 

This painting I wanted to create a painting with color focusing on only one object.  The rest of the still life was to be black and white.  I also wanted to create a simple black circle that would represent a bowl. 

 

 

"Self Portrait"

Oil on Canvas

5' X 3.5'

 

This painting I wanted to move away from the mail image and use more of the wall space.  All elements are made out of canvas even the cord from lamp to outlet.  Also, I wanted to give the leg feet more of an anthropomorphic look.

 

"Sated"

Oil on Canvas"

4.5' X 3'

(3 separate canvases)

 

In this painting I wanted to give it a "gluttonous" look as well as create some type of carpet imagery that also looked sated. 

 

"Neither God Nor Bad, It Just Is"

Oil On Canvas with Object

5' X 3'

(2 separate canvases)

 

This painting was to try to give the feeling of neutrality.  Meaning it doesn't matter.  I built this painting around the picture of two embroidered birds I found at a flee market.  I liked them and then I didn't.  Why, I don't know.  The flower on the black and white checkered floor is a fake rose. 

"Shrouded"

Oil on Canvas with Mesh and Objects

5.5' X 4'

 


This is a painting of a table where the objects on the table are shrouded.  To the left of the table is a clock covered by a stained mesh.  On viewing this painting all you hear is the ticking of the clock.  The rug on the floor is an actual rug which has been sized and then painted into with the word "time".

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