Tempting Still Life 2000

Dmytro Kavsan made this “Tempting Still Life” painting at an unknown date using I guess some kind of oil-based paint. You know, it’s funny, I’m not usually that into still life, but this one has something. I mean, look at how Kavsan has placed this stuff on the table. The brushwork is kind of all over the place, kind of haphazard. The way the paint is applied, it’s like everything is in flux. I like the kind of silvery, shimmering light he’s got going on. Like the objects are lit from within. And the little people! Are they falling? Flying? What’s going on? For me, that’s what paintings are all about: not just representing things, but getting at something deeper, a feeling, a mood. It reminds me a little bit of Chaim Soutine. He used a brush with very thick paint. You know, he really went for it, even if he got a little bit messy. Anyway, maybe I’m projecting here. But that’s okay, right? That’s part of the fun of looking.