Oh, To Be Grey...

So I've been seeing a lot of grey around recently, and I feel it only my duty to participate! Some might think it strange, but I've liked grey for quite a long time! I do love how it can flip flop from being cool to warm, and masculine to feminine, either by it's tones or just by the right accessories... 

Most of all, I love grey with earthy warm tones, natural woods and stone, and with metallics, creams and bright whites, it's just beautiful! The mix of textures in the accompanying pictures is what I love the most!

So here are a few of my favorite grey interiors and still life photographs. Clockwise from the top left, Living Etc, (sorry, I don't know this one!), Skona Hem, Shootfactory, House to Home, and Glen Proebstel.

Campanelli's Apple Blossoms...

'Apple Blossoms' and 'Wild Rose Berries'

I was just browsing the internet for some inspiration for my next piece of art (starting and -hopefully! -  finishing this weekend!!) when I stumbled across the above two prints - which I really like!!

With a little follow up research, I found out they were by the American artist, Pauline Eble Campanelli (1943 - 2001). She painted superrealist still lifes, and although she never got much interest from prestigious galleries or art museums, her prints sold by the thousands through catalogues and poster and print shops. She had reportedly rivaled only Andrew Wyeth in sales by a living artist.

See my previous post about Andrew Wyeth and his artwork here.

'Mute Swan' and 'Don't Put All Your Eggs In One Basket'

'Summer Peaches' and 'Nuts and Oranges'

'All American' and 'Shoo Fly'

Beautiful Photography...

Still on my photography drive, I couldn't help but post some stunning work by photographer Anna Kern - full of light, femininity, and beauty... I adore it!! Especially her 'still life', and her 'interiors' are great too. I like how she pairs up most of her photos too - a really nice touch. Check out her site for more work - you won't be disappointed!

    

    

    

    

Cherries and Teacups...

4x4 inches / oil on panel

So I was cruising images, looking for some inspiration and ideas for my artwork. And I just so happened to stumble across some amazing still life paintings, impressed by their realism and the attention to detail, I had to investigate further into who had made these beautiful pieces...

It was then that I found Jeanne Illenye's blog....which is where I found my absolute favorites, these three paintings of Queen Anne Cherries and a blue Italian teacup.
Her blog shows her wealth of talent, in flowers, chocolates, fruits, and other items including a baseball! Check it out here!

"Predominantly a self taught artist, Jeanne received her initial training at an early age through private instruction. She later attended the Ridgewood School of Art in New Jersey and Pratt Institute in New York. Inspired by the Dutch Masters Jeanne utilizes a warm, earthy palette and elaborate, fluid compositions punctuated by strong contrasts. She incorporates signs of age into her work as a reminder of nature’s delicacy and transience."

Well, I'm certainly impressed, and definitely inspired! Also, check out her ebay site to view her work available for purchase!

Oh, and one fun fact about Jeanne Illenye is that she can write with both hands simultaneously back ward and upside down - just like Leonardo DaVinci!! Nice! - Now that must be handy!!


6x6 inches / oil on panel

4x4 inches / oil on panel