One of the more interesting challenges in fine art these days, is painting a still life that is realistic, yet modern. As an artist, you want to create something that will be timeless, yet fresh. Something different and interesting, without being gimmicky or cute.
Add to the challenge, the fact that almost every object that one can think of has been painted in innumerable different ways in vast array of compositions, spanning centuries of art across dozens of cultures.
Now, I am not suggesting that you can’t set up a conventional still life with flowers and books and maybe a bottle of wine and paint that and feel good about it. What I am saying, is that for an artist that is trying to create something that will stand out as a unique contribution to the world of paintings, the standard still life isn’t going to get it done.
The artist has got to dig deeper, think more creatively and find a way to compose something that hasn’t been composed before. This is what has led me to The Vase Outside series. This is a series of paintings that feature the same round, glass vase, with different bouquets, in different locations outdoors. At this point, I’m not sure how long I will work within this series, maybe a two years, maybe ten. I have completed two paintings so far and I have over a dozen ideas for the future works. 
This is the first of the series, which happily, is sold.
I have been out with my vase and my camera these past couple of days and have started the process of creating the new compositions for future Vase Outside paintings.
