Julia Albo

Third Prize is a one-page editorial feature in American Art Collector magazine

My Inspiration

My painting was inspired by the still life Dutch paintings of the early 1600s. Many objects depicted in these paintings served as an indicator of wealth and status. Worldly goods such as imported fruits and rugs were once considered a sign of luxury however are now more commonplace. The subject matter I chose reflects that of early still life Dutch paintings, but instead of acquiring objects of great value that were once meant to show status these are things that were bought from chain department stores.

My Design Strategy

In my design strategy I wanted to create an interesting composition that would take the traditional subject matter of still life and create a more contemporary image. Not only is the perspective looking down on the plate of oranges, but the still life is placed on the ground instead of on a table. I chose this composition to emphasize the repetition of shapes and make use of the pattern of the carpet. I was particularly drawn to having a square plate in the middle of a square panel to create the effect of framing the oranges.

My Working Process

When creating this image I only used objects at my disposal. I found the materials I wanted to include in the painting around the house and did a photo shoot with my phone. Working on a square panel allowed me to play with the balance and symmetry of the composition and oftentimes I prefer to work on square panels or canvases. The use of patterns plays a large role in my painting process, to create a more complex and rich image. My piece, Oranges, is one of a series of paintings with a dizzying array of patterns, which I find captivating.