The Checked Mug 1986

Mary Fedden gave us “The Checked Mug” in oil on canvas in 1986, and it’s a great example of how a still life can be so much more than just a picture of some stuff. Look at the colors. It’s like she mixed the whole painting with a touch of pink and gray, unifying the image. You can really see her brushstrokes, especially in the tablecloth, creating a kind of textural buzz. These marks are so confident, it's like she knew exactly where each one should go. I’m drawn to how the mug with the flowers is placed right next to that black bottle. It’s a simple contrast that just works, maybe because it feels so off-kilter and unexpected. The way she reduces the forms to these simple shapes reminds me a bit of Morandi, but with a bit more quirkiness. Ultimately, it's Fedden's unique way of seeing the world, turning the everyday into something delightful.