Clipper Ships - o/c 36" x 36"

Clipper Ships

36" x 36"

Growing up in the Northeast and enjoying sojourns along the coast as far south as Florida and north to Cape Cod and Nantucket . . . how could I not want to convey the turbulent waves and salty spray of another age when clippers ruled the seas?

Travels years later to the White Cliffs of Dover . . . watching the junks sail in Hong Kong Bay . . . docking in Nice's harbor a few days . . . etc.  I can easily continue with nautical stories, yet, I understand there has always been times for many of us who hold in our hearts a romance of the high seas that bring forth our adventurous spirit discovering new places.

http://www.christinenauman.com

Blue Hydrangeas with Apples and Lemon Still Life - o/c 24 1/2" x 28 1/2"

Detail

24 1/2" x 28 1/2"

sold

I decided to portray the blue hydrangeas, apples and lemon in glass vase in a style reminiscent to Van Gogh's paintings he created while living in the South of France. Paying close attention to applying thick layers of oil in vivid colors and defined short brushstrokes captured his essence. Also, limiting the appearance of shadows, which both Van Gogh and Cezanne eliminated as well. 

Pleased to have the painting complete after working longer than usual hours in my studio this week. Especially considering flowers wilt fairly soon when cut and placed in water, I had to decide quickly which details to leave in the painting, or not to simplify the subject without becoming dull.

Unique to my individual artistic style and symbolism, I added fruit to the composition and separated the 5 into two groups. Placing 3 apples in one group, and 1 lemon and 1 apple in another indicates their individual differences (bitter - sweet), I remained true to the oriental numeric philosophy I learned while living in Tokyo 4 years.

http://www.christinenauman.com

Floral Still Life - o/c 16" x 20"

Yesterday, I began creating a floral still life. Hydrangeas in glass vase with fruit in the foreground added more interest to the composition. Longer than usual to set up, however well worth the extra time as the arrangement is stunning. It's also mathematically correct in design theory . . . and the numeric oriental discipline I learned during my years living in Japan.