As much as I admire artists who paint beautiful, realistic still-life paintings in a traditional manner I am more attracted to a different type of still-life paintings like the ones by such great artists as Matisse, Diebenkorn and Uglow.  

It fascinates me the way they divide the canvas space and compose shapes,  explore color and pattern. Here are some examples of my favorite paintings by these artists that I find truly inspiring.

Henri Matisse - Still Life with Oranges

Henri Matisse - Still Life with Lemons

Henri Matisse - Bouquet of Dahlias and White Book

Henri Matisse - Lemons on a Pewter Plate

Richard Diebenkorn - Poppies

Richard Diebenkorn - Scissors and Lemon

Richard Diebenkorn - Still Life with Orange Peel

Euan Uglow - Two Apples

Euan Uglow - Two Others Have Been There

In my own still life paintings my main goal is to explore shape, color and pattern interaction rather than render objects realistically. So I approach my still life paintings the same way as I do my abstracts.

Giselle Ayupova - Pizza Margherita oil on canvas 14" x 18"

Giselle Ayupova - Grapefruit and Apple oil on canvas 18" x 14"

Giselle Ayupova Still Life with Apricots and Blue Ceramics oil on canvas 12” x 16”

Please check out my paintings on my website. Thank you!