NATURA MORTA (still life with skull) is an object drawing that I've been longing to paint for quite some time. The heavily textured panel was meticulously primed to give a 3D wood grain effect. (Painting on top of this proved to be quite a feat!)

A sheep's skull, a piece of cloth, an old book, a candleholder and candle are assembled on a table. The image is savagely fragmented and distorted, rendered in a cubist manner and enriched with warm oranges, reds and ochres. It is in this manner, that the somewhat macabre collection of subjects is ‘softened' and seems to glow, thus conveying a serene feeling.

The only movement is generated by the flickering candle that illuminates and radiates warmth, whilst casting haphazard shadows on the wall immediately behind the table.

Keith Balzan

 

Related Paintings: SKULL, SKULL 2