Vessel remains as daises fade, roses take the place.
2025-2026
oil on canvas
16" x 12". 19" x 15" framed

Vessel remains as daises fade, roses take the place

As this oil painting evolved, the dim light from outside my studio became an active part. Turning off studio lighting, using the evening light to dominate allowed for a romance within the piece. When I finished the painting session it was very satisfying and complete. I put the painting away for a month to dry.
After, something was missing from the piece, it wasn’t quite there yet. Beautiful but missing a part of me. I did want to keep the essentials but show how time passes and change occurs.
So back into the studio it came. Resetting the still life, I chose the same vases but used white roses instead of the original daisies. Working again at night.
This time I chose to work off PD medication, steadying my arm on a supporting structure, drawing in the current flowers and reinforcing the slightly different light and the ‘other’ movements my hand and body make.

The results are very robust. I do feel it is romantic, shows time passage, and reflects me.

Used by permission of the artist.

Joe Ihns

I settled into my early artistic career after receiving a MFA in painting as a painter showing in small galleries ...more