When I look at art today as in the past, I realize that my idea of what is art has not necessarily changed, what has changed is how I look at art and also my appreciation of the talent in that art.  Much of the art that I have collected is by little known if not yet remembered artists.  This does not mean that it is not memorable or good just not yet recognized.

Flowers in a Vase
by Brenda King

#BrendaKing (b. 1934) has a painting style described as faux-na.   This branch of painting found many followers in the late twentieth century in West Cornwall.  Faux-na characterises itself by its’ crude yet expressive style. It has an earthy, here-and-now quality, with detailing, like wallpaper patterns, foliage, stones in a garden wall painstakingly delineated.  All of the above attributes are clearly seen in the still-life painting shown here.  The white flowers set against the ochre and russet foliage have a natural feel which then supported by the quilt patterned table cloth portrays scene so very normal – so very real.

Impressionism is a style or movement in painting originating in France in the 1860s.  It is characterized by a concern with depicting the visual impression of the moment, especially in terms of the shifting effect of light and colour.

Still Life with Lampshade
by M R Wyman
1957

Impressionism practices the depiction of the natural appearances of objects by means of dabs or strokes of primary unmixed colours in order to simulate actual reflected light.

In the painting by #MRWyman, it is possible to see the short strokes made by the palette knife to lay the paint on the canvas.  The use of an instrument other than a brush gives the painting a coarse, rough feel and appearance.  The mixing of colours is not smooth but hard and sharp.

A portrayal of life just as real but in a varied style.

Still Life
by E A Taylor

And to finish a still life painted with stroke of brush. A lovely bouquet filled with colour and life by #EATaylor.  Colour, light and shadow used to express the beauty in the life that surrounded not only the artist but also ourselves.