Can art make the ordinary extraordinary?

Looking at Art:

Landscapes and still life paintings include things we have all seen many times. To invite a viewer to enjoy them, an artist’s presentation must be particularly engaging. Familiar objects may attract attention because of their arrangement, colors or the way the light hits them. The artist’s style may draw an audience to the work. I have seen compelling artwork created of something as ordinary as a closeup of a barn door, an object which most people would not notice if they walked past it. Perhaps the subject of a work of art is not as important as the artist.

Work in the studio:

The coronavirus has closeted me at home. When I ran out of opportunities to draw and paint new people, I turned to still life. Vegetables are willing models, easily accessible. As I began the first still life, I wondered if I could create a work that would be worthwhile with this subject. As I worked on the first piece, I realized that I was considering the same challenges I encountered when creating portraits, composition, color selection, value. After a while, I let go of what I was painting and just got into the work. Here is the result.

Salad Days, Watercolor, 11” x 14”

Salad Days are a time of thriving and perhaps new beginnings, which seems to fit this painting.