“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”
— C.S. Lewis
“Tea and Lore” is an original still life painting, done with oil on linen on panel.
It is a celebration of a quiet moment – tea for two, and well-worn book inspiring a genuine conversation between friends. The items rest on a richly woven oriental rug, giving the entire scene an air of elegance and a suggestion of adventure and mystery.
Measuring 12 x 16 inches (30 x 40 cm), it is set in a beautiful silver flat-panel frame. The outer dimensions of the frame are 19 x 23 inches (48 x 58 cm).
Scroll down to see a video and learn more about this painting.
“Tea and Lore” draws its inspiration from the timeless joys of quiet moments.
In a world filled with noise and haste, there is a unique peace in sitting quietly with a good book. This painting celebrates those serene moments of reading, where each page turned is a step into another world.
Imagine a cozy nook bathed in the soft glow of afternoon light, where the only sounds are the rustling of pages and the gentle clink of a teacup being set down. The scent of freshly brewed tea mingles with the crisp aroma of old books. Here, in this sanctuary of stillness, one finds solace to contemplate and rejuvenation.
At the heart of the scene is a steaming cup of tea, offering warmth and simplicity. Beside it rests a well worn book, its pages slightly folded with age, inviting the reader to delve into its stories and wisdom.
The painting also reflects the joy of shared moments of silence with a friend. Two cups sit side by side, suggesting a companion who enjoys the same tranquil retreat. In this shared silence, there is a profound connection, a mutual appreciation of the peace that such moments bring. The simple act of sitting together, sipping tea, and reading in each other’s company becomes a cherished ritual.
The natural textures and earth tones of a finely woven carpet create an organic aesthetic, reminiscent of a time when life moved at a slower, more deliberate pace.
By drawing inspiration from the quiet pleasures of reading, the tranquility of silence, and the comforting ritual of tea, this painting weaves a rich tapestry of sensory and emotional experiences.
It invites you to step into a world where time slows down, where the simple act of reading and sipping tea becomes a meditative practice. It’s a reminder that in the hustle of daily life, there is immense value in moments of stillness and the quiet company of a good book and a warm cup of tea.
Allow yourself to be transported to this place of quiet contemplation and appreciation, where the ordinary becomes magical.
The Finest Materials
“Tea and Lore” has been carefully crafted with the finest materials available, using traditional techniques that have been passed down from artist to artist for over five centuries.
The finest Belgian linen is used – woven from flax grown in the fields of Western Flanders. The linen was produced by a firm that has been run by the same family for over a century. Made in small batches according to a formula hundreds of years old, it is an exacting process taking several weeks to complete. When glued to the panel, it forms a solid, durable, and archival foundation – this painting is meant to be enjoyed for generations.
Only the best paints are chosen, often made with pigments from the furthest corners of the Earth: Bohemian Green… Chinese Vermillion… Lapis Lazuli from Afghanistan. Paints are chosen for richness of color, proper handling, and above all stability and durability. Again, this artwork is intended to last for a very long time.
Painstaking Process
“Tea and Lore” was created using a traditional process very little changed for 500 years. The arrangements of objects are often set up in a large shadow box next to the easel. This allows careful control of the lighting and precise positioning of the composition.
Several small “thumbnail” sketches are made in pencil first, determining the overall design and placement of objects. A “color study” follows. This is a small version of the painting done without much detail. It enables a deeper understanding of the main colors, and also serves as a sort of dress rehearsal for the main work.
Once the preparatory studies are complete, the composition is drawn onto the linen panel using light charcoal. The main shapes and placements are set down with as much precision as possible, but very little fine detail is recorded at this point.
A simplified version of the painting in black and white is then done on top of the charcoal sketch. This is known as an “underpainting”. It establishes significant forms and shapes in the composition, and works out important gradations of light and dark – known to artists as “value” – independent of the complexities of working with full color.
After several days, the underpainting is sufficiently dry for the color layer – this is what you see when you look at a finished painting. Color is applied directly on top of the underpainting, often in very thin transparent washes. Known as “glazing”, these washes can create a jewel-like depth and sparkling transparency of color that cannot be achieved in any other way.
The Fruits of Patient Effort
“Garlic, Olives, Tomatoes, Butter” measures 12 x 16 inches (30×40 cm), and is presented in a silver flat-panel frame, the outer dimensions of which are 19 x 23 inches (48×58 cm).
It is ready for your collection today.
Purchasing This Painting
This painting is framed as shown and is ready for immediate hanging.
Payment may be made with major credit cards and PayPal.
Shipping within the United States is free. An additional charge will be added for shipments outside of the United States.
It will ship from my studio within 2 business days of purchase.
It will be carefully packaged for maximum protection during transit, and insured for the full purchase price. A signature will be required on delivery, so the package will not be left unattended.
You will be provided with a tracking number and estimated delivery date (due to the unpredictability of the customs process, an estimated delivery date cannot be provided for shipments outside of the United States).
Your satisfaction is completely guaranteed. Paintings may be returned for the full purchase price within 14 days of receipt.
About These Paintings
These paintings grow out of two sources: On the one hand, a deep love for the great still life tradition of the Dutch Golden Age, and on the other, a life-long interest in meditation.
For both viewer and artist, still life is the perfect opportunity to have that experience which all meditation seems to aim at: complete and total absorption in the present moment. Not the past. Not the future. Just what is in front of you. Right here. Right now.
That moment of quiet, intense connection – that sense of one-ness – is all the inspiration I need… and these paintings emerge from that source.
As such, this isn’t really a personal art. It’s not about me or my views or my ideas.
My role is to step aside, and let these silent moments speak through me.
Tea and Lore
$3,250.00
“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”
— C.S. Lewis
“Tea and Lore” is an original still life painting, done with oil on linen on panel.
It is a celebration of a quiet moment – tea for two, and well-worn book inspiring a genuine conversation between friends. The items rest on a richly woven oriental rug, giving the entire scene an air of elegance and a suggestion of adventure and mystery.
Measuring 12 x 16 inches (30 x 40 cm), it is set in a beautiful silver flat-panel frame. The outer dimensions of the frame are 19 x 23 inches (48 x 58 cm).
Scroll down to see a video and learn more about this painting.
Sold
Description
"Tea and Lore" An Original Still Life Painting
The Inspiration
“Tea and Lore” draws its inspiration from the timeless joys of quiet moments.
In a world filled with noise and haste, there is a unique peace in sitting quietly with a good book. This painting celebrates those serene moments of reading, where each page turned is a step into another world.
At the heart of the scene is a steaming cup of tea, offering warmth and simplicity. Beside it rests a well worn book, its pages slightly folded with age, inviting the reader to delve into its stories and wisdom.
The painting also reflects the joy of shared moments of silence with a friend. Two cups sit side by side, suggesting a companion who enjoys the same tranquil retreat. In this shared silence, there is a profound connection, a mutual appreciation of the peace that such moments bring. The simple act of sitting together, sipping tea, and reading in each other’s company becomes a cherished ritual.
The natural textures and earth tones of a finely woven carpet create an organic aesthetic, reminiscent of a time when life moved at a slower, more deliberate pace.
By drawing inspiration from the quiet pleasures of reading, the tranquility of silence, and the comforting ritual of tea, this painting weaves a rich tapestry of sensory and emotional experiences.
It invites you to step into a world where time slows down, where the simple act of reading and sipping tea becomes a meditative practice. It’s a reminder that in the hustle of daily life, there is immense value in moments of stillness and the quiet company of a good book and a warm cup of tea.
Allow yourself to be transported to this place of quiet contemplation and appreciation, where the ordinary becomes magical.
The Finest Materials
The finest Belgian linen is used – woven from flax grown in the fields of Western Flanders. The linen was produced by a firm that has been run by the same family for over a century. Made in small batches according to a formula hundreds of years old, it is an exacting process taking several weeks to complete. When glued to the panel, it forms a solid, durable, and archival foundation – this painting is meant to be enjoyed for generations.
Only the best paints are chosen, often made with pigments from the furthest corners of the Earth: Bohemian Green… Chinese Vermillion… Lapis Lazuli from Afghanistan. Paints are chosen for richness of color, proper handling, and above all stability and durability. Again, this artwork is intended to last for a very long time.
Painstaking Process
“Tea and Lore” was created using a traditional process very little changed for 500 years. The arrangements of objects are often set up in a large shadow box next to the easel. This allows careful control of the lighting and precise positioning of the composition.
Once the preparatory studies are complete, the composition is drawn onto the linen panel using light charcoal. The main shapes and placements are set down with as much precision as possible, but very little fine detail is recorded at this point.
A simplified version of the painting in black and white is then done on top of the charcoal sketch. This is known as an “underpainting”. It establishes significant forms and shapes in the composition, and works out important gradations of light and dark – known to artists as “value” – independent of the complexities of working with full color.
After several days, the underpainting is sufficiently dry for the color layer – this is what you see when you look at a finished painting. Color is applied directly on top of the underpainting, often in very thin transparent washes. Known as “glazing”, these washes can create a jewel-like depth and sparkling transparency of color that cannot be achieved in any other way.
The Fruits of Patient Effort
“Garlic, Olives, Tomatoes, Butter” measures 12 x 16 inches (30×40 cm), and is presented in a silver flat-panel frame, the outer dimensions of which are 19 x 23 inches (48×58 cm).
It is ready for your collection today.
Purchasing This Painting
About These Paintings
These paintings grow out of two sources: On the one hand, a deep love for the great still life tradition of the Dutch Golden Age, and on the other, a life-long interest in meditation.
For both viewer and artist, still life is the perfect opportunity to have that experience which all meditation seems to aim at: complete and total absorption in the present moment. Not the past. Not the future. Just what is in front of you. Right here. Right now.
That moment of quiet, intense connection – that sense of one-ness – is all the inspiration I need… and these paintings emerge from that source.
As such, this isn’t really a personal art. It’s not about me or my views or my ideas.
My role is to step aside, and let these silent moments speak through me.
And there isn’t anything more personal.
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