Miniature Still-life Paintings

Artist Comments
This still-life painting depicts two red roses in a vase. The rich hues of the flowers stand out against the transparent glass and subdued background. The simple impressionistic rendering of the elements imparts a sense of stillness to the composition.

About the Artist
Artist Carey Parks paints impressionist scenes of everyday life that imbue a sense of nostalgia reminiscent of a family album. By observing how her subjects navigate their way and relate to each other, Carey seizes the moment they are randomly connected, even so briefly. "My goal is to capture the character and personalities of the individuals in a scene, as well as the surroundings as a whole," shares Carey. Positive in her artistry, she completed her undergraduate degrees in Fine Art and Zoology from UC Santa Barbara, then finished with a Master's in Art. When producing her paintings, she frequently mixes paint directly on the canvas to create intriguing color palettes. She carries out her creativity in her home studio, an organized space that helps her minimize any distractions. Carey also teaches as an adjunct professor of art during the school year. She enjoys running, hiking, and relaxing at the beach during her free time. Her esteemed work has been profiled in American Artist Magazine and numerous local publications.

Words that describe this painting: flower, rose, stem, vase, glass, floral...

Artist Comments
Yellow lilies and pink carnations fill a glass vase resting at the edge of a wooden table. Textured brushstrokes bring the floral arrangement to life, while pastel colors add warmth. The composition exudes a sense of joy and freshness.

About the Artist
Artist Samuel Pretorius' paintings evoke a quiet nostalgia. Each brushstroke suggests a shape, a landscape, or a subject—letting the memory of the viewer fill in the details. He invariably works with photographs, creating representations of actual locations he documents, and enjoys making bold brush movements that capture the essence of his subject in the fewest marks possible. "My paintings are best described as 'suggestionistic.' I aim to create fleeting images that you long to see again, a place that you will never forget, or one you yearn to visit," says Samuel. Originally from South Africa, he comes from a family of artists who encouraged him early to paint and draw. In primary school, his work was included in a national exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum. While growing up, his art education came from exhibiting at local art galleries, participating in open markets and plein air painting events, and joining monthly exhibitions. Recently becoming a US citizen, Samuel decided to dedicate a portion of his study to his home studio to fulfill his passion for painting. This well-lit area, often supervised by his Siamese cat, allows him to paint any time of the day. Outside the creative industry, Samuel enjoys exploring the world's beauty and creating code as a software developer.

Words that describe this painting: flower, floral, vase, bouquet, lily, carnation, pastel, bouquet, painterly, impressionism, still life, flora, acrylic painting, pink

Bright Floral...

Artist Comments
Soft pink flowers bloom against a flowing pattern of tiny leaves, delicately rendered in fine linework. As part of her series featuring the turmeric plant, ar...

Artist Comments
A cluster of pink hydrangeas arranged in a clear rounded vase in full bloom. Artist Nicole Lamothe painted this piece in alla-pr...

Artist Comments
One of the vibrant sights of New York City's Chinatown is the wall of posters. Brightly colored layers overlap and peel away, revealing a dynamic mosaic of colors and images. In the painting, bold characters fading from yellow to orange spell out "BIG DISCOUNT," while the smaller text reads "EXCELLENT QUALITY FOOD."

About the Artist
Artist Leroy Burt paints playful, offbeat landscapes and portraits based on his experiences living in Milwaukee, New York, Costa Rica, and currently Rochester, Minnesota. "I think of my paintings as short stories," he says. As a young child, Leroy faced a number of obstacles. His parents divorced when he was four years old and he was raised by his grandparents in a three-room shack without running water or electricity. Leroy worked hard to pull himself out of poverty. He studied graphic design and painting, which led to a 30-year career in graphic design - five years at WMVS, the PBS television station in Milwaukee, fifteen years at city hall in Milwaukee, and ten years at WNET, the PBS station in New York. In 2015, Leroy retired to focus his energy on painting. Today, he works from a tiny studio filled with half-finished paintings stacked against every wall. "There are photos and sketches for future paintings taped everywhere," says Leroy. "My windows are filled with orchids. There are books, films and music CDs in every corner. And the room is dominated by a black and silver Andy Warhol silkscreen...