Three still life paintings. Three little stories. Objects can create new meaning when placed together.
At first glance, these paintings may seem like simple still lifes. Look a little longer, and the objects begin to tell a deeper story. A handmade piece, an animal figure, a flower, or a small keepsake can symbolize a special connection or carry a cherished memory. When placed together, those meanings can grow into something new.
This series is a little different from my usual animal portraits and nature-inspired artwork. Here, my love of animals and nature shows up through the playful objects I chose.
The paintings were created as part of a Milan Art Institute Mastery Program assignment to make three cohesive still lifes using a limited set of paint colors. That structure gave the series its starting point, while each composition helped the objects build on one another.
Together, these paintings helped me see still life as a place where objects with meaning of their own could become part of a beautiful new story.
The Blue Bunny
A hand-sewn denim bunny, made from a loved one’s blue jeans, rests beside a green glass bottle and a single gerbera daisy. This gentle composition represents tenderness and bright warmth. It is a story of love carried through what is handmade, what catches the light, and what blooms.
Love Tokens
A cheerful ceramic frog sits beside one of my handmade nature assemblages, made from wood, sticks, and stones. The frog jar invites little treasures to be tucked inside, the kind that hold a meaningful place in your heart. The leafy vine, pinecone, and earthy textures bring the natural world into the piece. This composition creates a story where stones becomes flower, ceramic becomes keeper, and love takes the form of little treasures.
Land, Water, and Sky
An owl vase, wooden giraffe, and swan come together as an unexpected group. Together, they represent the harmony of water, land, and sky. Soft catkin branches rise from the vase as a symbol of growth and renewal.
Creating this series gave me a new appreciation for still life painting. Once placed together, the objects began to suggest something beyond their individual meanings. That was the most interesting part for me.
Jackie Foster Art 