Still Life with reflections

Creating a still life painting that incorporates reflections offers a fascinating glimpse into the artistic process. When I first began exploring this style, I found it compelling to layer not just objects but multiple states of the painting simultaneously — combining sketches, underpainting, and finished layers. This approach allows the viewer to see the artwork as a living process, not just a final product. One technique I found useful was to treat reflections not merely as a visual element but as a conceptual pause. Reflections can offer a moment of contemplation within the painting, inviting the observer to step back and consider what lies beneath the surface. In my recent work, I often play with mixed media, using transparent layers that give depth and invite light to interact with the piece dynamically. Working on a series titled "Space for Reflection," with varying dimensions around 30x36 inches, I experimented with how reflections alter perception of space and form in still life. This practice made me appreciate how reflections can disrupt traditional boundaries in painting — front and back, sketch and final composition merge, expanding the narrative in contemporary still life art. For artists interested in process-based art, focusing on these layers and reflections can be a rewarding challenge. It’s about embracing imperfection and showing the evolution of the work, which can resonate profoundly with an audience. Layers reveal the artist’s journey and invite deeper engagement, transforming still life from a static depiction to an interactive experience.