Two Green Pears on Antique Doily

My entry into Art Prize is a 16" x 20" pastel painting in the classical still life model. I work totally from life, spending hours arranging the piece until it is pleasing to the eye. Much time is spent working with the lighting of my still lifes until I feel that the arrangement has an interesting and deep contrast between lights and darks. I try to paint various textures into my pieces; in this case, the soft, ragged look of the antique doily as opposed to the shiny, smooth texture of the two green pears. I am attracted to reflective objects, whether that be crystal vases, shiny bowls or table tops, marbles, glass jars, or in this case, the shiny skin of the pears.While painting this piece I especially enjoyed finding just the right balance between the warm tones of the pears and the deep, dark, cool tones of the purple background.I want the viewer to look at my paintings and become as emotionally moved by memories that are awakened through the use of old and new items as I do.

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