Imagekind Gallery stilllifeseries

A Sink Full: Polish Pottery L

Media: Acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas Dimensions: 18x24x1.5 Date of Work: 2009 The 50th in my Polish Pottery Still Life Series© was a challenging painting. I stacked the dishes high and wobbly in my sink and turned on the water. I love the colors that bounce around in the wine glass on top and the water is so fun to paint. Luckily no broken dishes! Whew! :)

Gerbers and Babytop Bottles

I set up the still life for Nibblefest theme "Retro". When I thought about this theme and wondered what I would use to set up a still life, I remembered my "Babytop" milk bottles. I bought these reproduction antique baby face milk bottles in an antique store when we lived in Colorado. I loved those bottles and bought quite a few of them and gifted them to friends and family. I still love those bottles!! So they were my first thought of using those bottles in a still life. I thought after I set up the still life how it was ironic that 2 of the the flowers were "Gerber" Daisies!! This was a fun still life and a new fun color combo for me! I so enjoy the challenge of painting glass!!!

Breakfast: Polish Pottery XXX©

Media: acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas Dimensions: 16x20x1,5 Date of Work: 2008 The 30th in my "Polish Pottery Still Life Series. ©" I set up using a gorgeous plate I bought from the Ceramika artystyczna factory store in Poland. I keep this plate on a stand in my kitchen. Its beautiful. I used my breakfast tea towel in this one what is somewhat a series within a series as I have previously painted still life's with the Lunch and Dinner tea towels. I set up a breakfast scene with a croissant and clementines. The small dotted blue bowl is also a Ceramika artystyczna unikat pattern. The pitcher in the still life is a Zacklady Unikat pitcher from their art series. Unikat Art 148 . I had a lot of fun painting this one as I so enjoy painting the shiny surfaces and seeing what colors bounce around. I also experimented with a new background on this one. I learn something from each painting I do and look forward to the next painting, to see what changes take place as I am constantly learning! :0) Keep an eye out for more in the "Polish Pottery Still Life Series©. "

Mouse & Cheese: Polish Pottery XXIX

Media: acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas Dimensions: 11x14x1.5 Date of Work: 2008 The 29th in the Polish Pottery series of still life's was painted for Nibblefest February 2008 theme of rodents. I set up this still life with this cute mouse cheese keeper. I found this cheese keeper at one of my favorite stores in Poland on one of my trips there. The pattern with butterflies and flowers is a Super Unikat pattern. I love this dish!! I added to the still life my "Dinner" dish towel and a polka dot Polish pottery dessert size plate of cheese and crackers. I love painting the stainless steel of the knife and seeing all the reflections that are there. This was a fun one to paint! Enjoy! Heather ;0)

Draped: Polish Pottery XXXII

Media: acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas Dimensions: 18x18x1.5 Date of Work: 2008 Number 32 in my award winning Polish Pottery Still Life Series©, I decided to try a a new set up with a draping blue green cloth that I bought for my still life's. I wanted to challenge myself with something a bit different with all fabric and no table. This was a fun challenge for me. The mug is the unikat art 107 pattern by Zaklady. The bowl with flowers is a Ceramika Artystyczna bowl. The other bowl is the traditional dot patterns and the plate is the flowering peacock pattern by Zaklady. The series continues! Enjoy!

Vase of Hydrangeas: Polish Pottery XXVI

Media: acrylic Dimensions: 22x28x1.5 Date of Work: 2008 The 26th painting in the original Polish Pottery series. This vase is my favorite vase. I love the Unikat Pin point dot pattern by Ceramika Artystyczna pattern number 1123. When I see this pattern in Poland.. I buy what I can.. I love it.. and it's hard to find!! I added my striped dishcloth to the still life as it gave interesting pattern and movement to the painting. Enjoy!

Lunch: Polish Pottery XXVII

Media: acrylic Dimensions: 11x14x1.5 Date of Work: 2008 The 27th in my original Polish Pottery series. I set up this still life for the Nibblefest art contest. Theme for the contest was to combine 2 animals into one.. Well, working to twist that to a Polish Pottery still life I thought about these cute dishes I got in Poland at the Ceramika Artystyczna store. Oh the store I bought these in is my all time favorite store. I love this manufacturer of Polish Pottery. The king frog plate and the horse bowl are one of my favorites. Ok.. I have many many favorites! So I thought I would stack these TWO animal patterns into ONE stack.. :0) I put in my Lunch dishtowel in the still life. Cheerios are good for breakfast, lunch or dinner.. Of course that's what my boys tell me!! :0)

Inspired by Janet Fish: Polish Pottery XXIV

Media: acrylic Dimensions: 20x24x1.5 Date of Work: 2007 The 24th in my Polish pottery series was done for the still life challenge I started in the Still Life public forums as an "Inspired by..." challenge. A good artist friend of mine Mary Beth Thorngren turned me to Janet Fish when she saw my love for still life's and painting reflective surfaces and glass. I bought Janet Fish's book and was in awe! I love her work. I did not copy the composition of any of her paintings. I put together this still life after drooling over her book and getting inspired!! Janet Fish's earlier works were contemporary in style. Her paintings often large and painted in bright colors. Her later works she introduced in backgrounds as seen thru a window etc. I thought I'd change up my typical Polish pottery still life and include in a background view with reflections of my chair seen in the glass. I added in some glass with my pottery as Janet Fish painted glass so beautifully. For more on Janet Fish: http://www.artnet.com/artist/6229/janet-fish.html

European Spindle: Polish Pottery XXI

The 21st in my Polish Pottery series. I cut these branches from my backyard because I loved the reds,pinks and oranges coming from the branches. I didn't know what the tree was called untill I asked all my art friends at EBSQ and Olga found what this tree was called. Thanks Olga!! The tree is the European Spindle tree and those beautiful orange berries popping out are actually poisonous. Good to know! I put these branches in one of my very favorite unikat Polish Pottery pattern by Zacklady.. I bought this vase in Poland on one of my trips there and its my favorite pattern. The pattern has been nick named Fall moon but the pattern number is Unikat Art 117. A beautiful pattern!! More in the series to come.. so please check back as I paint up a storm!!

For Kay: Polish Pottery XXVIII

Media: acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas Dimensions: 20x20x1.5 Date of Work: 2008 The 28th in my Polish pottery series was a commission painting I did for a friend of mine Kay. Kay's pottery has lots of blue's and yellows and her walls are a light yellow. I went with a purple background as I think this will sing on Kay's light yellow walls. Thanks Kay! I enjoyed painting this for you! Original SOLD.

Thinking Pink! A still life

I set up this still life for EBSQ's "Think Pink" show to benefit the Susan G Komen foundation for breast cancer awareness month. I knew that with pink being the theme the perfect place to set up my still life was in my pink bathroom. I had fun setting up this still life and also added in a pink bar of Dove soap. I really enjoyed painting the reflections in the stainless steel faucet, as I really enjoy painting shiny surfaces and anything with neat colors and great reflections. Ahhh.. relaxing in the tub with a glass of wine. Enjoy.

Kahlua and Coffee: Polish Pottery XXV

The 25th in my Polish Pottery series was done for November Nibblefest theme of coffee! I thought it would be fun to have a cup of coffee with a bottle of Kahlua.. Have you ever had a bit of Kahlua in your coffee?? Can I say?? YUM!!! :0).. of course. you need a few packets of Splenda thrown in.. because you can't be all bad!! :0). This still life was set up in a neat room in our house. We have this 'garden" room which we turned into a breakfast room, It is so nice that you can sit at the table and see the outdoors. I just recently added a background view into my still life's and have enjoyed the new setting! I had a great time setting this up and I never sampled my still life! :0)

Stacked!! Polish Pottery XVIII

The 18th in my Polish pottery still life series was done for the Ripped! Show at EBSQ. I paired with another artist Lisa Whittaker and was inspired to set up this still based on Lisa's painting "Cup in a bowl in a bowl in a bowl".. (also available here at Imagekind!). I stacked my unikat Polish pottery salad bowls, topped with a Polish Pottery teapot. Enjoy! :)

Dots!!: Polish Pottery XIX

The 19th in my Polish Pottery series, I did this one for July Nibblefest Art Contest with the theme dots! Dots are very traditional in pattern for Polish pottery and when I read the theme for NIbblefest I couldn't wait to do a Polish Pottery still life for this contest! I set up the still life with a waffle, whipped cream, dotted the whipped cream with blue berries and a few strawberry slices. Add the orange slices for a nice pop of color to the plate.. I really enjoyed painting this still life. It was lots of fun.. and made me hungry for waffles! Enjoy!

Fruit Bowl: Polish Pottery XXII

The 22nd in my award winning Polish Pottery still life series. I set up this still life with my Wiza Unikat Daisy pattern, one of my many favorite patterns. You know you can never have too much Polish Pottery! :). I really enjoyed painting the bananas, oranges, limes and lemons in this painting. I also really enjoy painting the reflections and the beaming lights that bounce around on my table and from object to object. Enjoy! Heather :0)

Venice: Europe Still X

Tea for One: Polish Pottery XX

The 20th in my Polish pottery still life series was done for August 2007 Nibblefest contest on EBay. August theme was to illustrate a story or a poem. I put this still life together with one of my all time favorite patterns of Polish Pottery. This pattern seen here is the Fall Moon pattern (Unikat Art 117). It is a unikat (meaning unique in Polish).. The pottery is hand stamped and signed on the bottom.. It is so beautiful, with fall around the corner and the beautiful golds and harvesty feel in this pattern I knew I would have a great time painting it. Enjoy! :0) I have this tea poem to go along with this still life that seemed fitting. I wish we could sit down together, And have a cup of tea, But since we can't When you have this one, I hope you'll think of me.

Tuscany: Europe Still XI

The 11th in my European inspired still life series. This painting was done for Nibblefest theme of sunsets. I put this Italian vase with a sunset Tuscany painted on the vase to set up my Italian still life. I used some extra virgin olive oil in my still life and the words are written in Italian on the label. Setting up this still life made me hungry for salad caprese. Salad caprese is an Italian salad made with fresh mozarrella cheese, sliced tomatoes, olive oil, balasamic vinegar and fresh basil. YUM!!! Enjoy! :0)

Africa II: The Thinking man

The second in my latest still life series. I love the tall thin thinking man. The giraffe is watching him think! I painted this bright and bold and have an exotic look.

Confetti: Europe Still IX

The 9th in my Europe still life series. The plate and candies are Murano glass from Italy and I bought the vase here in Germany. I enjoyed setting this still up and continue to try new challenges. I also wanted to go for more dramatic lighting with this still and loved putting all the colors that reminded me of confetti together. I enjoyed painting this one very much and look forward to continuing many more in this series

Europe Still VIII: Carnival II

Number 8 in my European still life series. The male venetian mask was fun to include with the art glass that was made in Germany.

Cleaning Up!: Polish Pottery XXIII

The 23rd in my award-winning still life series. I set up the Polish pottery still life for October Nibblefest theme of shadows. One of the things I love about the still life's is the dramatic lighting and shadows you can get when controlling the lighting while setting up a still life. I set up this still life for a beautiful effect of shadows and nice reflections. I used in my still life a Polish pottery giant polka dot plate, and a traditional dots cereal bowl and then inside is two mugs.. one pedestal mug and one bubble mug and then my dish rag! :0) Enjoy!

Closer by a Hare!

Two bunnies on a race for the tootsie roll.. Looks like the orange bunny is closer by a hare!!

Polish Pottery IX: SPAMMED!

Winner of Patrons Choice in the EBSQ Spam and Trout show.

Smoking Skiing SANTA: Polish Pottery XII

The 12th in my award winning still life series. Here's my German smoker santa puffing away on the cloth hils with Polish Pottery trees! A very cool skiing Santa! Comments? Love to hear them! :) hea

Africa Still I

The first in my new series of still life's with an African theme. The mask in this one is from Ghana, the medicine man from Kenya. Enjoy!

Polish Pottery X: Oranges Anyone?

The 10th in my Polish Pottery still life collection. Original painting is 16x20. comments? love to hear them! Thanks!

Polish Pottery XVI: Alice in Wonderland

The 16th in the award winning series of Polish Pottery still life's. I did this one for February Nibblefest on Ebay with the theme of fairy tales. It was fun putting together items from the fairy tale Alice in Wonderland. The tea party, the bunny, the playing cards and the timer.

Europe Still II: Gnarly Branches

The 2nd in my Europe Still life series. The vase is from Tuscany, the candlestick is from Germany and of course the accent lemon dish is from Poland. Comments? Love to hear them!

Polish Pottery VIII: The Eyes Have it!

The 8th in my award winning Polish pottery series collection. A Polish pottery pattern with traditional eye spot, a Turkish Evil eye for good luck and an italian vase make up the still. Comments?

Chicken or Egg? Polish Pottery XVII

The 17th in my signature series was done for Nibblefest with a theme of birds! I had this straw planter chicken that I set up with of course Polish Pottery eggs! So what do you think came first? The straw chicken or the Polish Pottery eggs??.. Hmmm.. my bet is the eggs? :0)

Europe Still V: Dogwood

The 5th in my European Still life series. This painting was done for the flower of the month show for December 2006, the dogwood flower at EBSQ.. The glass cat is from Poland, the vase is from Tuscany and the cow creamer from Germany... This was a fun painting to do.. fast,, furious and FUN!!! Enjoy!!! heather : )

Polish Pottery XI: South Beach

The 11th in my award winning Polish Pottery still life series. Thought I'd show the struggle we, oh ok.. me have with dieting.. Love to hear any comments.. thanks!

Ode to Polish Pottery VII

The 7th in my Polish Pottery series. Winner Patrons choice award at EBSQ September flower of the month show! Comments.. buy this print? love to hear where it goes?? Thanks! Heather

Europe Still III: Dahlia's

From my award winning still life series. The Italian pottery is from Tuscany and the glass duck is from Poland. Comments? Send me an email. Thanks!

Polish Pottery XV: Water Lily

The 15th in my award winning Polish Pottery still life series. I did this painting with a water lily in the flower vase. A glass fish that I bought in Poland. There is also a gorgeous Polish pottery plate that I am gifting to a friend of mine along with the painting. This painting has been entered into the EBSQ January 2007 Water Lily show.

Nutcracker: The Baker

I thought it would be fun to do a German nutcracker in my still life. The baker is a limited edition nutcracker. He's so cute with his cookie cutters, gingerbread house and wooden spoon. He's ready to

Europe Still IV:Purple

My 4th in my Europe Still life series. The glass vase and elephant were bought in Poland. The original painting is a mixed media with 3 amethyst stones mounted to the center of 3 flowers! comments?

Dreaming of Christmas: Polish Pottery XIV

The 14th in my award winning Polish Pottery still life series. Dreaming of Christmas. I did this for December Nibblefest. theme: Childhood Dreams. Cookies and candy on a beautiful piece of Polish Pottery, milk and vase of flowers waiting for Santa! My 4 yr old actually wrote "Santa" on the painting for a the realistic effect of a child's writing. For that I will cherish this painting. heather

Europe Still VI: Peanut Brittle

The 6th in my award winning Europe Still life Series. The Chicken Pitcher is from Italy and is given to friends to bring good luck and ward off intruders. In the cute little striped Polish pottery bowl is a batch of yummy peanut brittle! This painting was entered into the EBSQ "In the Kitchen" Show along with a copy of the recipe for this yummy peanut brittle!

Party for One?: Polish Pottery XIII

The 13th in my series, this was created for an art charity book, Honor with Art,that will benefit National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Klaas Kids Foundation. The original painting w

Europe Still VII: Carnival

The 7th in my Europe Still series. I bought these glass bottles from Emanuela Rohlf a German art glass designer. The Venetian mask I got on a recent trip to Italy. I always enjoy putting the treasures I find here into my still life's that makes these still lifes very meaningful to me.

Castle Chaos!

I did this painting for Nibblefest April 2007, theme door ways. This was a fun and quirky scene to set up. The bunny so tired of waiting in line for the tour is having to hop off, the duck is oblivious to all around him as he enters the doorway on the castle tour.. The bee is making a beeline (get it?? ;0)) for the doorway, and meanwhile the snail finds the chaos at the castle pretty funny!!! This was a very fun still life to set up.. suspending the bee in air was a challenge. Enjoy! comments?? Love to hear them! :)

Ode to Polish Pottery III

The third in the series of my Polish pottery series. The giant polka dot pattern is one of my favorite patterns!!! This painting was summer of 2006.

It's Mine!!!!

A small and quirky still life. I have thought of this still for a while and finally glad to have painted it. The little glass smiling snail has been in another one of my quirky still life's I have done. I think its always fun to do something different and not have the typical still life. I want the viewer to smile.. When I look at this, I think the snail sees that sandwich and is saying, "It's Mine!". Enjoy!

Still a Moment in Time

I put this still life together with some of these neat shaped glass bottles I had that I had bought that had liquors inside. Yum!!.. I thought these bottles were so cool, so I filled them with different colored waters and put them on some cloth. I painted this still life a bit differently than usual. This still life to me is a bit more surreal and has a dreamy quality. It was a new fun challenge!! Enjoy!!

My Secret Garden: Polish Pottery XXXI

Media: acrylic Dimensions: 9x12x1.5 Date of Work: 2008 The 31st in the award winning Polish Pottery Still Life Series© was painted for March Nibblefest Secret Gardens theme. This is my secret garden with my Polish Pottery. The giant dots pattern by Ceramika Artystyczna is surprisingly a fairly hard pattern to find! Its one of my favorites when I see this pattern in Poland I usually pick up a piece or more ;-) in this pattern. The giant dots are a bit contemporary with that fun and modern feeling I so love! I bought a ton of these giant polka dot patterns at the Ceramika Factory shop when I was there that the lady said even though its not a Unikat pattern, it was just as hard to get as they don't make as much of the giant dot patterns. In setting up this still life I added a striped dishcloth with lots of nice colors that would really add to the colors in the flowers. I painted the background a nice purple to really make those yellow flowers just pop. My Polish Pottery Still Life Series© make the perfect addition to any Polish Pottery collection. Many more in the series to come! Thanks! Heather :0)

Chicken: Polish Pottery XLIX

Media: Acrylic on Gallery wrapped canvas Dimensions: 14x18x1.5 Date of Work: 2009 The 49th in my Polish Pottery Still Life Series, I put together a new straw chicken that I got with my CA Unikat vase and some eggs. I love this chicken and it was fun to play and set up this still life. 2 real eggs and a Polish pottery egg were put in the still life. The reflections are always fun to paint Enjoy! :) ©Heather Sims 2009 '

Media: Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas Dimensions: 5x7x1.5 Date of Work: 2008 The 47th in my Polish Pottery Still Life Series© was done for November's Nibblefest theme "Christmas Trees". Ok.. this painting is not of a Christmas tree :), but it is for what we adorn our Christmas trees with. If you are a Polish Pottery collector or not, who can resist a beautiful hand painted Polish pottery ornament for their tree? I set up this still life with two metallic ornaments so I would get some neat reflections iin there. In the gold ornament you can see a reflection of one of my Polish Pottery pitchers in there. Totally unintentional but a happy accident none the less! :) This painting would be cute to hang up during the holidays or all year long. Some Christmas items are fun to have around all year long and I think this would look great out all year also. Enjoy! :)

Media: acrylic Dimensions: 11x14x1.5 Date of Work: 2008 The 35th in my Polish Pottery Still Life Series© and was done for August Nibblefest, theme, "Dog's Life". To make a truly pampered pup it is a must to have a Polish pottery dog bowl! This is a Manufaktura dog bowl and this still life was set up with my dog's frog chew toy and dog bone. I love the smile on the frog and he looks so content laying next to the dog bowl. Now maybe this is a "Frog's life"? :0)

In the Jungle: Polish Pottery XXXIV

Media: acrylic Dimensions: 11x14x1.5 Date of Work: 2008 The 34th in my Polish Pottery Still Life Series© was done for Mays Nibblefest theme "In the Jungle". Thanks again to Michelle for the photo she sent me of her Polish pottery elephant that I superimposed into my still life of bananas and a pineapple. I thought he looked so cute sitting with the peeled banana. Enjoy! :0)

Cats: Polish Pottery LI

Croc: Polish Pottery XXXIII

Media: acrylic Dimensions: 8x10x1.5 Date of Work: 2008 The 33rd in my Polish Pottery Still Life Series© was done for April Nibblefest theme of reptiles. I didn't have any thing in mind for this theme. A patron emailed me photos of her cute Polish Pottery crocodile! Thanks Michelle!! :). I used her photos of the crocodile then painted in a tulip I cut from my garden. The crocodile has the cutest little smile. Those red lips are so cute! The croc's arms looked like they needed to be holding something and I thought a flower was perfect! This was a real fun painting to do and I enjoy trying new colors in my background to compliment my pottery pieces. Fun fun! Enjoy! :)

Media: Acrylic on Gallery wrapped canvas Dimensions: 9x12x1.5 Date of Work: 2008 The 41st in my Polish Pottery Still Life Series© was done for the Spam and Trout show and Nibblefest September contest. Nibblefest's theme for September is "Smiling black cats" and the Spam and trout show is going on also at EBSQ for September, so I got to thinking. Two birds with one stone? (or a cat and a trout :0) ). What would make a cat smile more than a plate of trout on none other than a Polish Pottery plate! My favorite thing about this painting is the happy expression on the cat's cloth and the very sad face on the trout. The trout is ready for eatin! Enjoy. :0)