After a period of creating a series of photographs that I called "Life Imitates Art," in which I created depictions in photography of paintings, I decided to abandon that amusement and to dedicate some time for my own views and visions of things; thus started my compilation of still-life photos. (Here presented in reverse chronological order, thus the newest first.)
The initial idea was to produce 100 photographs to be published in a large-format book (by Apple), but eventually I decided to abandon the numbered goal and just go with it and see how many there will be, at some point, to gather into a book.
As I peruse these photographs and the notes about their creation, I see that this blog has actually turned into a travelogue, for many of the object presented here speak of places where I've lived and visited. So, welcome aboard!
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CAUTION:
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| Cantaro Published on March 8, 2016 * |
Here's a good one... unintentional. I was going to use this cantaro from Spain in a still-life setting, but saw how the sun was playing on its surface, and decided to leave it literally alone!
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| Lotus Buddha Published on March 6, 2016 * |
Actually, I took this picture some time ago, but did not like it; however, it has grown on me... Simply a Buddha, a lotus flower and dogwood blossoms. I like dogwoods. They're very photogenic.
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| Plenty Published on March 2, 2016 * |
Just a couple of things that we had... and grapes and lemons.
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| Chinaware Published on February 26, 2016 * |
All the beauties of Hong Kong... We had four wonderful years there, and I did my best to support their economy. Seriously, though, those little pieces were "dime a dozen," practically. My friends and I would often take the ferry to Macau where things were even cheaper. Anyway, there you go. "Chinaware."
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| Reflections 2 Published on February 22, 2016 * |
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| Glass on Burlap Published on February 18, 2016 * |
Though my intention was not thus, this picture became a study in textures, as pointed out by many on my Facebook page. From my point of view, it just happened. I love the square glass pieces, and I feel the gentleness of the lines in the smallest piece soften the entire picture.
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Crystal looks like ice when the light hits it just right. And outside, icicles look like crystal. To bring that into being inside was a fun challenge that I had taken on. I remembered a crystal snowball votive from Sweden by Kosta Boda, given to me by my dear friend Leslie; I saw that one of the tall, clear perfume bottles that sit around the house had texture that would respond to light so as to look like ice; I had been given a solid crystal star by the mother of a friend of my daughter's when we took the girls to the Bahamas; and the scatterd "ice cubes" are actually made of clear acrylic and are used as vase fillers. The rest are incidental pieces in proper forms to fill the picture.
The photo on the right is what the camera recorded. Still I thought is needed more f-i-r-e!
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| Fire and Ice Published on February 14, 2016 * |
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| Buddha and Magnolia Published on February 10, 2016 * |
When we lived in Southeast Asia, these figures of Buddha caught my fancy, and the attraction has endured the separation of time and place. We have a couple of them, and they can now finally find their purpose in our household as I incorporate them in my still-life photography.
The fabric in this photograph is from DH Evans, a large department store in London. The fabric department stocked gorgeous, unusual fabrics, of which this is one. When we lived in the Middle East and returned to the States on home-leaves, we always flew via London, and I made sure we had long overlays, enough time to catch the Tube to Oxford Street to do the desired shopping.
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| Circumnavigation Published on February 5, 2016 * |
No one in our family has actually done any circumnavigating—though all of us have done some "circumaviating" at one point or another—this photo recalls some of our family's history: the instruments and books belonged to my husband's grandfather who was in the first graduating class of civil engineers at Cornell University in 1906. The armillary is something that I wanted—a large one—in the garden of our house as we were in the building process, but not "everyone" saw the value in it. So, when I saw this small one on sale for half price, it came with me straight away... ("Just keep your dream alive, and some day it will come true...") The binoculars are vintage French Marine glasses, found on eBay.
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| Reflections Published on January 31, 2016 * |
Unfortunately, not all photographs here have stories behind them. This is one of them... But something can be said about its title. It started as "Untitled Though Entitled to a Title," but an artist friend suggested "Reflections," which I liked, so...
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| All the Perfumes of Arabia Published on January 25, 2016 * |
This next photo has some literary value in its title. It is a phrase from Shakespeare's Macbeth. Lady Macbeth, for all her madness, does recognize that she is party to killing Duncan by enticing Macbeth to do it, and, feeling that she, too, has blood on her hands, exclaims, "All the perfumes in Arabia will not sweeten this little hand." As to the items in the picture, they are Egyptian perfume bottles. I have a modest collection of them, all purchased in Saudi Arabia and Dubai. Just because. The fabric is Indian silk, from Dubai.
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| Buddha on Burlap Published on January 16, 2016 * |
For variety's sake, burlap seemed like the "natural" choice for texture to augment the roughness of this Buddha's face.
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| Brown Jug and Fruit Published on January 12, 2016 * |
The next two photographs are called Maharaja's Silks (1 and 2), and for that reason this picture of a Hindu prince is included here. As can be seen, a maharaja's dress was an opulent silk wrapping (like sari) in multiple layers. I had purchased the silk sari in the pictures in Agra, India, where the famous Taj Mahal is located (and of course, visited there, alone, like Princess Diane did years ago). |
| Maharaja's Silks 2 Published on December 13, 2015 * |
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| Maharaja's Silks 1 * |
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| Shapes in Monochrome Published on January 4, 2016 * |
One might say luck comes from persistence... In this case, finding these items on several trips to the local Goodwill store was genuine luck.
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| Iridescence 3 Published on December 24, 2015 * |
Aah, one of my favorites! A hint of the Season... thanks to Hobby Lobby, my favorite store of late.
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| Illumined Published on December 20, 2015 * |
When I saw the large round candle at the Goodwill store, the entire picture was conceived in my head immediately; knowing that we already had those little round candles and the metal contraptions, it was as good as recorded. The title came after I saw the "illumination."
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| Red 2 Published on December 2, 2015 * |
One of the main players here is the red-black-and-gold obi from Tokyo, our home for a while. True to my salvaging spirit, I located a store specializing in used obi and kimono, where I spent many a happy moment rummaging through the inventory, always finding something that had to come home with me. (The store was called "Chicago.") The red stand is from Hong Kong, the red vase, another lucky find at Goodwill, and the fabric background from DH Evans. The ladybug, a greeting from North Carolina, a last-minute addition.
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Anatolia
Published on November 29
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Tulips and the culture of tulips arrived in Anatolia with the Turks during the Ottoman Empire (1718-1730, “Era of Tulips”). From there, the tulip onions were taken from Istanbul to Europe.
The oil-painting is from Dubai; I do not know whom it depicts, but I like very much its Moorish representation. The pot looks Turkish; I don't remember for sure, but I think I bought it in Istanbul's Grand Bazaar. The animal-print fabric is from Dubai, where they have large arrays of exotic textiles.
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| Iridescence 2 Published on November 25, 2015 * |
Hard to believe, but these pieces were once abandoned by their owners and given to Goodwill. To me they are real treasures and objects d'art.
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"Classical Music"
Published on November 19, 2015 * |
This violin belonged to my husband's grandmother, and now it plays the lead in many photo performances. Other photogenic objects, the short Grecian column and the miniature of a massive candelabra, I found at Goodwill—delighted to no end—and put them to good use.
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| Red 1 Published on November 17, 2015 * |
Another take on the red theme. Fabric in the background is a shawl from India.
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| Five Tulips Published on November 15, 2015 * |
Delighting in the opportunity to get some use of this stained-glass tulip... I took a class in stained glass when we lived in upstate New York and enjoyed it, resulting in this "window." However, I found glass a little "rigid" form of artistic expression and abandoned that adventure. The "fifth" tulip, the small metal stand, was a pure stroke of luck, again at the Goodwill store. So here is the one and only stained glass piece that I did, decades later, the main theme for "Five Tulips."
The mysterious darkness in this one is very pleasing to me personally.
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| Iridescence 1 Published on November 10, 2015 * |
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| Violin Concerto Published on November 7, 2015 * |
How things get together is fascinating... wilted yellow roses (some of the most beautiful flowers in my opinion); a wall plaque of a cherub playing the violin; abandoned, heretofore useless fabric—nonetheless gorgeous— and that miniature candelabra; pure symphony, or is it a concerto?
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| Freshly Picked Cherries Published on November 4, 2015 * |
Simple country-life that is also appealing. The cloth belonged to my husband's grandmother, now being enjoyed after many decades in storage.
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Perfumed Pearls
Published on November 1, 2015
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The inspiration for this set-up was the small painting of a beautiful chair, found at—where else—at a Goodwill store. I thought it looked like something that might have belonged in a lady's dressing room, and so the story began to write itself: Egyptian perfume bottles, pearls, little jewelry box, fragrant lilies-of-the-valley and a decorative tassle. The little box, bought in Hong Kong, has a very interesting past: the top is a broken piece of pottery fitted into the shape of a box with forged silver.
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Thai Buddha
Published on October 30, 2015
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Here is a study of swirls, put together from random items that just happen to carry the theme of curvy lines. Since lotus, in my estimation, is typically Chinese, found in art and literature, I decided I needed to find one, yellow, if possible. So eBay to the rescue, from a seller in China.
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Buddha with Lotus Flower
Published on October 27, 2015
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So the one with the pods... Somehow the pods add balance and yet seem distracting, though I have to say I do like this version, as well. However, the way the pods float in from "nowhere" does leave me a little unsure... |
| Pomegranate Published on October 27, 2015 * |
Oh, lookie, lookie, here is another chance I had to include the pods. I do like them a lot as such; just the actual inclusion seemed to be problematic. The fabric is Indian silk from Dubai, and the rest we've seen before.
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Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo
Published on October 24, 2015
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Now, here we have a fairytale story that I was trying to tell, but I think it was not seen as such... "Cinderella" came to mind when I saw the strange contraption that looked like the under-carriage of a chariot, which is depicted by the pumpkin. The candle is not really a part of the story except to remind us that the dance was over at midnight when the lights were extinguished. The candle holder is actually a finial from a large, old brass drapery rod that I found someplace as my dear friend Roxanne and I were gallivanting in upstate New York, checking out all the flea markets that we could find. The rod actually came with an old, old fire department ensign from Adams, Massachussetts. I may still have it in the deep recesses of the storage room...
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Salagadulah Magicabula
Published on October 22, 2015
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The first "Cinderella" depiction, lost to many, I think. After finding the "undercarriage" and the crown that to me was like the body of the chariot, the plot was complete. Now just a couple of little pumpkins, and the story is told.
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Lily on Two Old Books
Published on October 19, 2015
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Al Kharj, KSA
Published on October 19, 2015
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Photography in Saudi Arabia was strictly forbidden when we lived in Riyadh, except in a couple of select places, namely Al Diriyah, the ancient Saudi capital, and Al Kharj, the old royal summer palace. I would have a million stories and almost as many pictures to share, but... The story behind the painting here is simple: I found this doorway in Al Kharj to be colorful, artistic and in many other ways fascinating. So, several pictures taken... While living in Dammam, another city in Saudi, years later, I took an oil-painting class and then continued on my own for a while. This painting, 11"x14", is one of the later endeavors and now finds a place away from the wall into a picture!
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Lady Wednesday
Published on October 14, 2015
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Sunday Sonata
Published on October 11, 2015
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Illuminated Buddha
Published on October 8, 2015
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| Tomato Trifle * |
Two takes on the same picture; the only difference is the background.
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Apple Harvest
Published on September 24, 2015
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White in Glass
Published on September 22, 2015
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Angel Musician
Published on September 19, 2015
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There's that violin again... Also of sentimental value is the angel, a gift from my mother-in-law. The cornet is a purchase made at the Rastro fleemarket in Madrid decades ago. Of which my husband said, "I hope they paid you to take it." Hmm.
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Old Tomatoes and Garlic
Published on September 17, 2015
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The backdrop is a table cloth from my childhood home. The brass pot is a recent fleemarket find and the rest of the items are from my kitchen.
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Pro Imperator et Patria
Published on September 14, 2015
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Another sample of the fantastic fabrics at DH Evans in London. Certainly glad I have some use for it now... The Moroccan-style chess board is from Spain.
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Art in Full Bloom
Published on September 12, 2015
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Ah, El Prado! During the three wonderful, adventure-filled years that we had in Madrid, for me, one of the greatest pleasures was to visit this museum regularly. I took a class in art history there, within those hallowed walls... Aside from the great art education, a rather mundane fact made attending the class enjoyable: as a class member, I was allowed to park right at the front entrance, forbidden to many. (As is the case in urban areas, parking was rare close to anything worthwhile.)
So, there we have several large volumes dealing with The Prado and art in general, topped with a beautiful, fragrant lily. Backdrop is a rough cabinet from India, offering a nice conrast to the delicate flower.
So, there we have several large volumes dealing with The Prado and art in general, topped with a beautiful, fragrant lily. Backdrop is a rough cabinet from India, offering a nice conrast to the delicate flower.
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In Memoriam
Published on September 11, 2015
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Keys of the Kingdom
Published on September 9, 2015
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Caprice
Published on September 7, 2015
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Angel Cellist
Published on September 6, 2015
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Court
Published on September 2, 2015
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Yellow and Red
Published on August 29, 2015
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Cherubim on a Bed of Roses
Published on August 19, 2015
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Farm House Cherries
Published on August 16, 2015
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Marking the Tempo
Published on August 14, 2015
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Japanese Roses
Published on August 11, 2015
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One Brown
Published on August 7, 2015
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Stringed Instruments
Published on August 4, 2015
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The violin makes yet another appearance. New is the picture, bought and framed in Dubai (they have the best framing stores, and very reasonable), as well as the narrow obi from Tokyo. The candle holder is actually a finial from a large, old brass drapery rod that I found someplace as a dear friend and I were gallivanting in upstate New York, checking out all the flea markets that we could find. The rod actually came with an old, old fire department ensign from Adams, Massachussetts. I may still have it in the deep recesses of the storage room...
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Turkish Ibrik and Mandarin Oranges
Published on July 31, 2015
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Classic
Published on July 29, 2015
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Magnolia
Published on July 26, 2015
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Angel Cellist
Published on July 23, 2015
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Copper
Published on July 20, 2015
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Monday Morning Musings
Published on July 13, 2015
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| Childhood Berries Published on July 10, 2015 * |
But the modern marvel came when an artist, Daniel Conrad, wanted to paint this picture! How quaint that my interest in depicting paintings now is turned around as he depicts my photograph in his painting! He named his work "Blue Berries and Cream."
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| Blue Berries and Cream by Daniel Conrad * |
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| Greece As We Want to Remember Her Published on July 8, 2015 * |
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| Dance in the Woods Published on June 11, 2015 * |
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| Buddha with White Roses Published on July 6, 2015 * |
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| Cherries for Dessert Published on June 9, 2015 * |
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| Recipe Published on June 4, 2015 * |
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| Bottles with Apple Halves Published on May 23, 2015 * |
And this is the other one:
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| Strawberries in Silver Dish Published on May 12, 2015 * |
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| Tulips in Copper Pot Published on May 8, 2015 * |
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| Fondness for Roundness Published on May 7, 2015 * |
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| Two Dusty Bottles Published on May 5, 2015 * |
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| Strawberries Published on May 2, 2015 * |
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| Buddha's Leaf Published on April 30, 2015 * |
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| Musical Radicchios Published on April 29, 2015 * |
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| Rhododendrons in Silver Vase Published on April 27, 2015 * |
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| Buddha and Prayer Beads Published on April 25, 2015 * |
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| Radicchios and Grapes Published on April 21, 2015 * |
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| Red in Green Published on April 20, 2015 * |
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| Dried Horensia in Glass Published on April 15, 2015 * |
This next photo was not an intentional set-up, and that is why I like a lot. The story here is: I had just brought the dried flowers from one of our hortensia bushes, put them in the glass vase and set them on the kitchen counter, intending to find a nice place for them in the house, when, as I was doing the dishes glanced up and saw this perfect picture! The refleciton of the arched window on the counter, enricling the vase, is my favorite part.
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| Dried Flowers in Glass Reflection Published on April 11, 2015 * |
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| Wilted Published on March 16, 2015 * |
