We-Mee Studio

I never literally paint a table as in a photo. I paint the emotion that is produced within me. The key to creating fresh art is to look at life like a child. That's what I try to maintain. If you lose that, you'll never paint in a personal way. Colors were given to us to express emotions. The still life subject is key to my evolution as an artist. Like Matisse and many others, it wasn't until after they painted numerous still lifes over the years that these artists could then approach painting the figure. I dabbled in both of these subjects simultaneously over my life, but I see now what Matisse meant: still lifes encompass complexities and contrasts that challenge the artist to make them appear alive. # # #

I always revel in painting still lifes. Like puzzles for children, who find the pieces to fit together except in my case, I create and paint the puzzle pieces. The still life is a testing ground of an artist's imagination, where objects and nature offer cues with which to improvise. It's not about just capturing outer appearances of objects but also about revealing a greater depth of emotion. #