Lisa Ficarelli-Halpern
New Jersey City University
Concert of Birds
Oil on Linen
22" x 28"
My motivation to paint is to complete a process and have a better understanding of myself, my own desires, and the world around me. My memories are important to me and through painting I am able to study and express ideas that have personal or precious value. Vanitas and Memento Mori, the transience of life and the ephemeral nature of earthly possessions, are prevalent themes in my still life works, and I use collections of objects to hint at my own past experiences, and to explore classical painting methods and technique, which assist in recalling an art-historical context. The objects that I paint are not expensive, but I render them in an opulent manner, in order to portray these hedonistic themes. I seek to capture a newfound appreciation from my audience with these painted objects, my finished paintings, which I also wish to be collected and displayed.