Here is my favorite pewter pitcher again - having a whispered conversation with the onion. And there is the little salt cellar listening in! Oil on linen
??e? ? s????af?a?: "Productive stupidity means being ingorant by choice." ?a? s??e???e?: "The morecomfortable we become with being stupid, the deeper we will wadeinto the unknown and the more likely we are to make bigdiscoveries."
Here is what I like about this. !. The top ridge of the pitcher is highlighted just perfectly.2. The sugar looks granulated. The onion....I think I can smell it. The reflection in the wood grain is sooo splendid. I can look at this for a long time. The longer I look the more I see. Is this for sale?
Artist Reply: My goodness, Joel - thanks! I was pleased with the rim of the pitcher myself! And, thanks for asking, but it is not for sale. My still life disappears rather rapidly. (thank goodness)
just lovely, I like how you captured the reflections and shadows - great work
Artist Reply: Thank you, Terry. As I've said before, reflections and shadows are a great part of what makes painting still life fun to do!
Anonymous Guest
16 May 2005
Nicely done!! Painterly, transluscent onion. Beautifully rendered pitcher, especially the rim. I find the scale implied by the salt cellar a little confusing. It makes the pitcher look like a water pitcher and the onion look HUGE. It's also about the same color, form and texture as the main elements. Maybe a small eggplant or a small turnip with the complimentary colors, textures and shapes would make for a more interesting eavesdropper? The purples, violets and greens would also activate the adjacent yellows, oranges, and pink, making for an even more exciting picture! Again, nicely done!
Artist Reply: Thank you, Anonymous, for stopping by! I am sure that all you suggest is true but - that day I was thinking analogous color, not contrast, and metal texture. Wanted to show the great difference in rendering pewter and silver. Perhaps you are not familiar with individual place-setting salt cellars? They are quite small with tiny serving spoons. I assure you that the scale is correct - the objects sat right in front of me. Also, I didn't think that another fruit or veggie would suggest the "eavesdropping" aspect of my narrative as well as the meddlesome little bowl! But I am thankful that my painting held your interest long enough for you to think about it and to comment on it! Suggestions are always welcome!
Ah Hah! that onion better keep quiet! just as I suspected! got the stories to tell! Well, maybe it has some tales that will make us cry tears of joy, that must be it! Don't want to get synical on U, sorry. U should write a little book, the Onion Oral Narratives! this is wonderful like a phto! n Yes, I am silly ...I think plants have things to say too! Isn't there a verse in our number one book that says... if We did not praise the highest the Rocks would cry out!?...so there we have it! U r an inspiration Betty. Truly a blessing! such excellence! such glow!
Artist Reply: Oh, Christine! You do wax lyrical! But, as one tree hugger to another, I do thank you!
oh Betty, your narritive is as creative as your painting! And your painting is awesome! photo quality! The reflections in the table and pewter pitcher are outstanding, and the detailing of the onion is incredable! Excellent oil painting Betty!! :o)
Artist Reply: Oh, Les! You always make me feel so much better than I really am! Thank you!
Betty, this is wonderful. I love the soft reflections in the pewter, the roundness of all those privy to the conversation... the stillness and listening look of the onion. I think the pewter pitcher is a "big mouth"!
Artist Reply: Thanks, Julie. You are right! That pitcher does have a big mouth - but I love him just the same!
38 Comments
Anna Lo Bello 14 May 2014
beautiful painting!Anonymous Guest 24 Dec 2013
??e? ? s????af?a?: "Productive stupidity means being ingorant by choice." ?a? s??e???e?: "The morecomfortable we become with being stupid, the deeper we will wadeinto the unknown and the more likely we are to make bigdiscoveries."Sean Donahue 03 Jan 2012
Awe, c'mon now, Betty! This is a photograph! ;) Absolutely Stunning!Namita Kulkarni 18 Nov 2007
Ridiculously skilful work!Andrea Latina 11 Jan 2007
good lights!!Emily Reed 26 Jul 2006
Gorgeous!!!! Just gorgeous!!!!Sergey Kurbatov 21 Oct 2005
Wonderful! So simple things and so much love in your work, Betty.Ines Froehlich 14 Jun 2005
Awesome still life paintings!! Great!!ashok nayak 09 Jun 2005
great skill betty!beautiful peice of work.Katrina Sesum 08 Jun 2005
You have great skill, Betty. Well done!WESTERN ARTWORK By Denny Karchner 31 May 2005
outstanding piece Betty! fantastic style and techinque my friend.--dennyKaterina Koukiotis 31 May 2005
beautifuul still life painting Betty :)Martha Miller 30 May 2005
this reminds me of a grandmas kitchen somewhere.........very nicely done.joel zelikovitz 23 May 2005
Here is what I like about this. !. The top ridge of the pitcher is highlighted just perfectly.2. The sugar looks granulated. The onion....I think I can smell it. The reflection in the wood grain is sooo splendid. I can look at this for a long time. The longer I look the more I see. Is this for sale?Julieanne Nielsen 20 May 2005
Very good, the reflections and the way you have controled the light. I could almost reach in and pour a drink. Wow!Marlem Diaz 17 May 2005
Excellent! This work has a great composition and contrast. My senses went into activation as soon as I looked into this piece of art!Luke Lauch 17 May 2005
Something to see at every look! ThanksLinda Eades Blackburn 16 May 2005
B-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l!Terry Bullard 16 May 2005
just lovely, I like how you captured the reflections and shadows - great workAnonymous Guest 16 May 2005
Nicely done!! Painterly, transluscent onion. Beautifully rendered pitcher, especially the rim. I find the scale implied by the salt cellar a little confusing. It makes the pitcher look like a water pitcher and the onion look HUGE. It's also about the same color, form and texture as the main elements. Maybe a small eggplant or a small turnip with the complimentary colors, textures and shapes would make for a more interesting eavesdropper? The purples, violets and greens would also activate the adjacent yellows, oranges, and pink, making for an even more exciting picture! Again, nicely done!lerat andree 16 May 2005
Beautiful realistic still life painting. Love your technique. Thanks Betty for your comment. Cheers, Andreefrancis kwok peng kin 15 May 2005
so fine and realistic work.....Paul Sandilands 15 May 2005
finely rendered paintingChristine brand 15 May 2005
Ah Hah! that onion better keep quiet! just as I suspected! got the stories to tell! Well, maybe it has some tales that will make us cry tears of joy, that must be it! Don't want to get synical on U, sorry. U should write a little book, the Onion Oral Narratives! this is wonderful like a phto! n Yes, I am silly ...I think plants have things to say too! Isn't there a verse in our number one book that says... if We did not praise the highest the Rocks would cry out!?...so there we have it! U r an inspiration Betty. Truly a blessing! such excellence! such glow!Les Jobes 14 May 2005
oh Betty, your narritive is as creative as your painting! And your painting is awesome! photo quality! The reflections in the table and pewter pitcher are outstanding, and the detailing of the onion is incredable! Excellent oil painting Betty!! :o)Julie Mayser 14 May 2005
Betty, this is wonderful. I love the soft reflections in the pewter, the roundness of all those privy to the conversation... the stillness and listening look of the onion. I think the pewter pitcher is a "big mouth"!georgia brown 14 May 2005
Amazing job Betty!!!!!!Jerie kunitsky 14 May 2005
Super work...I love your stylestan jones 14 May 2005
its always a pleasure to see your work when you post the shadows are perfect amazing piece Betty love itJoke Schotting 14 May 2005
Very very beautiful work Betty!!Pat Abbott 14 May 2005
So realistic and beautiful. Very fine work, Betty.Yvonne Carter 14 May 2005
Beautiful! You got the onion skin right on...Nancy Costley 14 May 2005
Very traditional with great tones.Renee Nemerov 14 May 2005
Skilful well donesher richardson 14 May 2005
my goodness betty, this is so impressive.. the shadows and highlights on the table are wonderfully accomplished...Aris Stathakis 14 May 2005
that's great, perfect!thea walstra 14 May 2005
Perfect in every way and very beautiful work Bettyjennifer blenkinsopp 14 May 2005
lovely colour and composition.