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Terry Trambauer Norris
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My still life paintings spring from contemplation of the beauty that I perceive in the visual world. The act of painting is a dialogue with nature, which I interpret according to an inner mood. The painting becomes a record of that experience, in which I seek out the universal qualities of balance and harmony to be found in nature, and communicate to the viewer what is already known on some level, but has perhaps been forgotten.
I am often intrigued by the sight of an ordinary object sitting on a table. It may be the shape, colors, light, or gesture that first captures my attention. The object will resonate with a feeling or theme in my mind and become the catalyst for a painting idea. An onion, for example, may be simple and dignified or complex and flamboyant. Things are painted according to what they suggest to me at a particular time or over a length of time. I strive to communicate the presence of the eternal or timeless in the everyday objects of life.
The still lifes are always painted directly from life. Through the presence of the object, I am able to be more sensitive to its form and capture subtle effects of light. I usually paint on small to medium size canvases or panels to preserve the intimacy of the moment portrayed and I keep the objects no larger than life size. The paintings are executed in oils using a combination of direct painting and glazing techniques. They are characterized by the chiaroscuro effects of light and shadow often employed by the old masters to enhance the feeling of three dimensional form. The painting of still life enables maximum control of arrangement, light, and color, which have evolved into an expressive language for me, going beyond mere representation.
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