Still life painting ‘Coleman’s Mustard’ by Geraldine Segre
This week’s artwork of the week is still life painting by Geraldine Segre. The artwork is framed in black and depicts a pot of Coleman’s mustard.
Here are Geraldines words about her work.
I love to paint ordinary objects that are always there in a home, but are usually never given a second look. The bright yellow of the Coleman’s mustard pot just had to be captured. For its boldness and for its undisputed role in many a home-cooked meal. This is a chalk pastel painting on sanded paper. The painting is ready to hang, in a black frame with acid free white mount. It measures approximately 28cm by 23cm (framed dimensions).
The frame is black wood, with a high-clarity plastic safety glass to ensure minimal. The painting is signed on the back as well as in the corner on the front. The painting comes with a certificate of authenticity
SEE ALL ARTWORK BY GERALDINE SEGRE
About the Artist
I’ve been painting, drawing and sketching for as long as I can remember. I’m originally from London but now live on the Lincolnshire coast, where I get endless inspiration for my art. I love big skies, empty beaches, crashing waves, moody clouds and vast landscapes. And I love how every season, every day, every minute it all changes and gives me a fresh perspective – and something new to paint!
My beach walks provide endless inspiration for my art, whether that’s close to home, or away in our motorhome, enjoying the coast all around the UK. I particularly love visiting Yorkshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Northumberland and Devon.
Living near the beach year round allows me to get under the skin of the place – seeing it in all weathers, through all seasons, and at different times of the day. People often tell me they feel like they’re actually there in my paintings. I think all that time I spend observing my surroundings helps me capture the essence of the places I paint.
My painting process always starts with a walk. I’ll sketch whatever catches my eye, and will take reference photos to continue work back in my studio.
I’m inspired by colours, shadows, the mood of the skies and waves, and by vast scenes that remind us how tiny we humans are compared to the natural world. I’m fascinated by places where nature and man-made structures meet – sea defences, outfalls, piers and seaside resorts.
I paint mostly in chalk pastel because their vibrant colours are well suited to the drama of the English coast and countryside. I also love how physical chalk pastel is. There’s nothing between me and the chalk pastel stick. It can get mucky but I’m at my happiest covered in chalk dust! But I also paint in watercolour, gouache, and oil pastel.
I also love to paint still life, and am inspired to capture intimate corners of a home that are often overlooked but can tell a very personal story.
Questions to the Artist
How long did ‘Coleman’s mustard’ take to create? And did you complete it in one setting or keep returning to it?
‘Coleman’s Mustard’ took me a couple of hours to complete. I’m a very impatient artist, which is one of the reasons why I love working in chalk pastels. They allow me to lay down lots of colour quite quickly, they don’t allow for much fiddly detail and there’s a limit to how many layers of colour you can apply. So the painting quite clearly tells you when it’s finished!
What is your favourite subject to paint and why?
I love painting landscapes and seascapes because I love being outdoors, and the natural environment will always stir me in some way. Whether that’s a feeling of joy and wonder, or nostalgia and melancholy. I love to capture those emotions in my art either through sketches while I’m out walking, or in a painting back in my studio. But I also love to paint still life, particularly everyday objects or corners of a house that tell a story that isn’t immediately obvious. I love how personal and even intimate an inanimate object can be through art.
Have you always been an artist and created artwork to sell?
I’ve always created, since childhood, but only started selling my artwork in 2020.
Which other artists, if any, inspire you and why?
My favourite artists are Edward Hopper, Paul Cezanne and Edward Degas. I love the combination of boldness and melancholy in their work. I also love to follow the work of fellow artists on social media. It’s always interesting to see how they push their boundaries in their work, which in turn inspires me to take more risks in my art.
SEE ALL ARTWORK BY GERALDINE SEGRE
