For your viewing pleasure today, the still life paintings of California artist Youqing (Eugene) Wang.
Originally from China, Mr. Wang studied and taught fine art and graphic design there before moving to the United States in 2001. After earning his second MFA in studio art from Florida State University, he began painting and selling his work full time.
He works primarily in oil, and most of these pieces were created as part of a daily painting practice begun in 2008. These small format paintings are less than 11×14 inches.
In my painting, I am mainly concerned with capturing the light, order and beauty of simplicity of common objects, as well as their cultural significance. My work reflects an imagination that “feels” the joyfulness of still life or landscape from inside out. Subjects I paint come from my own personal experiences and observations. I hope to transform the simplicity of common objects into paintings which are emotionally rich and expressive.
His work does indeed heighten one’s appreciation for objects we often take for granted, and sometimes cease to really “see.” But truly, that’s what a good artist does, right? Makes you stop and look with new eyes and marvel.
Of course I especially love that most of his still life subjects are edible. 🙂
Visit Wang’s Fine Art for more. He posts recent and available work that can be purchased through his website (his giclée prints are reasonably priced at only $4.99 each). He also offers small originals for auction on eBay.
Which is your favorite? These are all good prompts for ekphrastic poems. 🙂
Have a lovely day, marked by beauty and simplicity!
For the road:
*
—————————————————————–
Copyright © 2016 Jama Rattigan of Jama’s Alphabet Soup. All rights reserved.
Jama's Alphabet Soup 
Gorgeous! The light and perspective, hard to choose. I keep returning to the romaine, the gherkins, the plum . . .
LikeLike
They look so real you want to reach out and touch them . . .
LikeLike
wonderful work! impossible to choose, all are beautiful…thanks, Jama!
LikeLike
Glad you enjoyed seeing Wang’s work!
LikeLike
Gorgeous and classic! Love the pears, and the blue cheese looks yummy! Thanks for sharing, Jama :).
LikeLike
I can’t pick a favorite, though the bowl of cherries keeps calling my name. 🙂
LikeLike
I do not think I have ever seen ANYONE make onion skin look… like… onion skin. And the pickle juice!!! Is visible!!! And the prices mean you can redo your whole kitchen with really cool prints!! I’m bookmarking this guy’s name. Thank you, indeed!
LikeLike
Yes, he’s amazing, isn’t he? And he does one of these a day?
LikeLike
Do these make a diary of what he’s eating? The details in the dish ware are amazing. My eyes kept returning to the gumdrops and the lollipops. His use of light, transparency and reflection is fantastic. Thanks for sharing this, Jama.
LikeLike
I’m not sure if it’s actually supposed to reflect what he’s eating every day. I imagine he has lots of great produce in his kitchen though :).
LikeLike
I like all of the strawberry ones – they look the most realistic. They are all amazing though! 🙂
LikeLike
Erik the Great Strawberry Eater! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Food and kitchen objects are so beautiful, but it’s fleeting beauty–we eat it up or else it goes bad! I think that’s why I like food paintings and photos: you can admire the beauty for longer than you can in real life.
LikeLike
I agree, and those artists who use food as subjects must work against the clock.
LikeLike
All beautiful, but I love the lollipops!
LikeLike
You can just about hear the crackling of the wrappers. 🙂
LikeLike