Modernizing Dutch Still Life Paintings
The Dutch Flower Series
When I was in middle school, I studied under a wonderful artist named Cynthia Day-Neely. She firmly believed that to be a well-versed artist, studying various artists and their techniques was essential. She challenged me to delve into the Dutch Masters and their approach to painting still life compositions & floral arrangements, so I studied the Dutch masters fervently. I read countless books around these artists, studied their work, and painted from live setups in Mrs. Neely’s studio.
While my upcoming collection titled The Dutch Flower Series is a modern take on this classic concept, I wanted to challenge myself to study the shapes & sizes of flowers both from life & current floral designers. While I omitted certain elements such as insects, seashells, & the standard dark background, I wanted to stay true to the robust arrangements that the Dutch artists portrayed.
Fun Facts About The Dutch Master Paintings:
1.) Tulips were considered priceless rarities in the 17th century. These vivid striped blooms were widely coveted & featured in many paintings.
2.) Seashells were prized items mainly because of their unique shapes & markings. They were a symbol of wealth.
3.) Insects were depicted in the paintings as symbols (ie butterflies represented the resurrection of the body, as caterpillars transition into a butterfly.)
4.) Blue & white porcelain were considered luxury items imported from Asia and are seen throughout many Dutch paintings.
I wanted to pay homage to these paintings by depicting oversized blooms with droopy arches. The Dutch Masters couldn’t paint all of their arrangements from life, so many of the florals that were depicted were an illusion, as the collections of blooms were likely not arranged together.
I created nine modern, colorful floral paintings based on modern-day floral arrangements in a Dutch style. While the paintings have been purchased, you can purchase & view beautiful assorted notecard sets made from these paintings.
![🩵GRATEFUL GIVEAWAY [doors closed!] 💚I’m SO thankful for the support, excitement, & encouragement over the last year with my newest scarf endeavor. I’m thrilled to kick off Thanksgiving & the holiday season by giving one lucky pe](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5575e80ae4b0d0973ab6b6e9/1732244508417-7QT23MC7GAOIZ8VTE54U/image-asset.jpeg)
Studies of a Few Dutch Master Paintings I did in Junior High:
Examples of Current Floral Designers & Their Inspiring Arrangements:
The images are linked & are sourced from the following: (1) The Dainty Floral Co, (2,4): Images 2&4 from Christin Geall’s beautiful book, Cultivated by Christin, (3): Tulipina Design
The Dutch Flower Series a conglomeration of watercolor paintings ranging in a variety of color schemes, now made into assorted notecard sets. To receive early access on future releases, sign up to be a VIP Studio Insider here (you’ll also receive exclusive discounts and preview emails by signing up!). Interested in seeing other images that inspired this series? Check out my Pinterest board with examples of color schemes and floral designs, as well as my Spotify playlist that I listened to when creating this series.
Until Next Time,
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To see more about what inspires CoCo, check-out her Instagram page at @cocozentner_art!
Unveiling Feathers & Fronds—a silk scarf that captures the magic of vibrant landscapes and timeless design. Inspired by my travels and infused with rich colors and intricate details, this piece is designed to bring both elegance and artistry to your everyday style.