Cutlery Painting, Silver on Silver: One of Each, by Canadian Artist Kim Blair

Silver on Silver: One of Each

8x10 oil on canvas

You may  remember my fascination with tin-foil and the series of cutlery paintings I created a few months back?  Various pieces placed on tin-foil catching the light, creating little vignettes of  shimmering silver... they seem to glow in the dark.

The series is  displayed side by side in my studio/gallery room,  a line-up of silver reflections to brighten up a dull grey snowy day.   I can envision a grouping of them hung next to stainless steel appliances, or a glass dinning table, or displayed along a hall that leads to the kitchen...  Let your imagination be your guide!

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8x10 oil on canvas

Silver on Silver, Spoon Reflections I, by Canadian Artist Kim Blair

New Years is fast approaching, bringing with it reflections on events of the past 365 days, along with some thoughts on how we might create a few different experiences for ourselves in the year ahead.

Tin foil is a favorite backdrop for me... creating interesting passages of light and reflected color from the objects placed upon it, giving a semi-abstract feel to the painting.  This is the first time I have painted silver objects upon a silver background and I must say it was an interesting experience.  "Paint what you see", I kept telling myself,  not what you "think" you see.  Our left brain (the analytical side), loves to overpower our thoughtful creative right brain.  The left brain kept telling me to paint silver on silver, because we all know that silverware is silver in color and so is tin foil... but my right brain kept repeating the painters' mantra of "Paint what you see", telling me to really look at the spoons lying on the tin foil and paint all the colors that appeared in the reflected surfaces of each.
Yes, there were many shades of gray, but there were also tints, tones and shades of blue, and orange... reflections from the various objects that surrounded this still life that really created what I was focused on painting.
How many other things in our lives are reflections of what is surrounding us?
One of my new years resolutions is to "Paint what I see, not what I think I see..." in as many areas of my life as possible.

Silver on Silver, One of Each, by Canadian Artist Kim Blair

Cutlery, also known as silverware or flatware was not a regular part of a table setting until the end of the medieval times.  It was around this time that the lower classes began to entertain by hosting dinner parties.  Previous to this, food was considered to be only a means to an existence.  Once it became a reason to socialize, the silversmiths began to create a multitude of utensils decorated with various designs and motifs. The word cutlery can be traced back to its Latin origin 'cultellus' meaning knife.  Cutlers was the name given to the men who forged iron knives, so you can see the how the word cutlery came into use, especially since a knife was the most important utensil for thousands of years.

Here we have 'One of Each'... on tin foil.

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8x10 oil on canvas

Pop Art Cutlery, by Canadian Artist Kim Blair

'Pop Art Cutlery'  

'Comic Book Cutlery'

One more day of playing with my Photo Booth Options, this time using a previous painting called 'Silver on Silver, One of Each', if you missed seeing the original painting (where the cutlery was placed on tin-foil, have a look by clicking here)

*Plus I wanted to share some fun news:

A selection of my artwork is included on Claudette Pelletier-Hannah's website, she is a Weight and Wellness Coach, along with being a Life Coach.  If you click on each 'Tab' across the top of her Home Page, you will see each page has a different painting in the top left corner!  (I am thrilled that she is using my artwork on her website).

She told me that she enjoys working with individuals as well as groups and offers a complimentary session by calling her at 780-481-0313, or by email (you will find her email address at the

 bottom of her home page).

Golden Lemons

These lemons wedges have a deep yellow rind with a hint of orange revealed in certain lighting, and once placed upon foil the reflection glowed.  You might think they are sitting on gold or copper foil, rather than on the silver surface of the tin foil.  Being an artist may be similar to being a magician.  Artist have the tools to offer you a different view... one never knows what we will pull out of our hats!

"Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one." Albert Einstein.

Some of us at DPIAG (Daily Painters International Art Gallery), an art blog that I post to besides my own blog, participated in a fun art challenge.  Each month Madison, (the wonderful woman who created DPIAG blog) will offer us an art challenge.  Anyone (even if you do not belong to DPIAG) may paint a version of the challenge and send it to Madison, and if you followed the rules she will publish your art under the challenge section of DPIAG.  Please check out those of us who tried our hand at the March challenge.
It was fun to stretch outside my comfort zone... Next month will be fun, since I love stripes!

SOLD
10x10 oil on canvas (needs some drying time)