oil on vintage book cover

2023

25 × 17cm

An oil study painted in my studio as part of a series of still life paintings experimenting with surface texture and colour of found supports. Painted alla prima, a painting process which involves painting the whole painting in one layer at once.

This series of paintings An Apple a Day, was made painting an apple every day for a week during the summer of 2023. The humble apple has become symbol of knowledge or wisdom, the fruit of Eve. When I was pregnant with my daughter I craved apples above anything else and ate them several times a day. She and I both still love them, and she eats at least one a day. Her favourite is Granny Smith, I prefer an Egremont Russet when I can get one.

The support is a vintage book cover, which shows signs of fading commensurate with its age and adds to the work. Clear gesso was applied to protect the board before painting.

Alla Prima often requires wiping back paint, as well as applying it. I enjoyed balancing the applied colour of the paint, and wiping back to the colour of the book jacket support.

Offered for a limited time at half price