Vase c. 1940

Janet Riza made this painting of a vase sometime in the 20th century, though the exact date is unknown. I love that we get to see this simple yet stunning artwork. The green is just gorgeous, isn't it? It’s neither too opaque nor too transparent, but somewhere in between, capturing the light in a way that feels so alive. You can almost feel the texture of the glass just by looking at it. The artist isn't hiding the process, but rather highlighting the natural colour variances in the vase. The way Riza handled the base of the vase is fascinating. It is dark and opaque, yet somehow it doesn't feel heavy, but rather like a strong, grounded presence. It reminds me a little bit of some of Giorgio Morandi's still lifes, but with a vibrant and playful use of colour that feels distinctly her own. In both cases, we see the beauty in the everyday.