A Sense of Nostalgia

Objects tell stories, going far beyond their practical uses and surface-level beauty. Still life painter Leslie Lewis Sigler is drawn to domestic objects made of precious metals like silverware molds and vessels, “because they have a kind of eternal life.”

- ALYSSA M. TIDWELL

The California-based artist paints her lustrous silver objects against stark white backdrops, creating still lifes with simple yet striking compositions. “In painting these objects, I explore the character evident in their inherent design and everchanging patina,” she says. “Each singular object’s form, condition, and character transform an otherwise functional object into something rich with history and artistic beauty, with the power to reflect our own life stories and family histories in the process.”

The objects Sigler depicts seem to transcend temporal boundaries. “They have their own histories, lifespans and significance, and I am intrigued by their ability to reflect that of our own,” she adds.

For Todd M. Casey, who utilizes an indirect method of painting, still lifes give him the opportunity to explore a range of ideas from contemplative and poetic, to narrative, and even humorous. Working from life, Casey’s art focuses heavily on light and color. And his moody, painterly still lifes have an air of undeniable traditionality.

“I try to take my time when making a still life, working out the idea through studies and leaving no stone unturned. This allows me to really work on the arrangement of objects, the play of light and color as a way to express an idea,” he says. “A good composition should be threaded together so that all of the objects feel united. This is not just in terms of what we see, but the design of the painting as its own thing through textures and the brushwork. Good painting is like a good dish of food, well-balanced with textures and not too much of one thing to give a feast for the eyes.” Within this special section, collectors can explore more depictions of inanimate objects brought to life through art, delving into the myriad ways these items captivate us.