I’d like to think of this ‘Still Life’ as eccentric. I use acrylic paint which I think adds vitality to the colour and elevates my style, which is broadly photo-realistic, to a point where it’s unconventional and different. And as always I use deep edged canvas which allows me to continue the painted image around all four edges of the canvas.
So, this is the story behind how this masterpiece came into being. The tin-toy robots are mine, I’ve a small collection of them. The tangeloes were in season, the other fruit was in a bowl in the kitchen. I often use objects found around the home although I did buy the red-striped party straws. I liked the idea of a dark background so set everything up on black foam board. It took a few attempts to get it right.
The glass of milk? I thought that would be ‘off-beat’ for a still life. I toyed with adding Milo (chocolate-milk powder). The title? Well, that came to me when it was finished. The idea that the two robots could disguise their plan for world domination by extending the hand of friendship with a glass of milk and an onion. ‘We Come in Peace Bearing Gifts.’ I hope the title adds both a sense of irony and conveys a certain unconventionality. I really like this painting, it’s enjoyed numerous, successful exhibition outings.