The Rose

This was a commission piece that I painted in watercolor
for a friend who had just purchased a Rowe Pottery oil lamp
to add to her collection... more

by Marilyn Smith

Title

The Rose

Artist

Marilyn Smith

Medium

Painting - Watercolor

Description

This was a commission piece that I painted in watercolor
for a friend who had just purchased a Rowe Pottery oil lamp
to add to her collection of pottery pieces.
She planned for the painting to be displayed next to the shelf
that the lamp was placed on.
I was given free reign with the rest of the painting
as long as I included the oil lamp.
Since the lamp was a reproduction of an antique,
I decided to keep that theme by adding the old cutwork lace on
the tablecloth, plus the rather old-fashioned straw hat
with a blue ribbon and little flower attached.
My friend also had a rose garden so it seemed
appropriate to add pink roses to the vignette.
I like the blue tones coming in from the window which
brings out the blue of the heart design on the pottery lamp
and compliments the rose and pink tones within the painting.
It is just nearing evening time so the lamp must be lit now.
Perhaps Grandma just came inside after picking her best roses,
placed her hat on the table while lighting the lamp before
finding a vase to put the flowers in.
Lastly, I decided Grandma's old, gold-framed glasses
placed precariously on the edge of the table,
might be the final needed touch to complete this still life.
Rowe Pottery is produced in a small factory in Cambridge, Wisconsin and
is one of the most popular brands of pottery in the world.

Uploaded

May 6th, 2010