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| Gulf Coast Museum of Art |
I might have named this posting "Christopher Still, Florida's Artist" because few artists have represented the history, beauty and unique qualities of my state as well as Christopher Still. Above is Still's representation of the state seal, which features a Seminole Indian woman. Below is the actual seal, which is also displayed on the state flag.
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| flheritage.com |
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| click to enlarge | Gulf Coast Museum of Art |
Christopher Still (b. 1961) won awards and scholarships as a teenager, and eventually attended the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts on a scholarship. He took two tours of Europe, studying the techniques of Italian, Dutch, German and French masters.
Still returned to Florida, where he has become well-known for his scenic views of the state, often including historic elements and symbolism.
On Sacred Ground, above, is one of a number of Still paintings that depict Seminole Indians, proud warriors who are equally remembered for their distinctively intricate style of dress.
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| click to enlarge | Gulf Coast Museum of Art |
Above is
Land of Promise, depicting the time of Florida's early settlers and their homesteads. Still often tells a narrative by including a trompe l' oeil frame adorned with objects that relate to the central theme.
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| click to enlarge | Gulf Coast Museum of Art |
A great example is
Changing Tides, which shows — through dozens of objects — the sponge diving history of Still's own hometown, Tarpon Springs, Florida.
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| click to enlarge | Gulf Coast Museum of Art | | |
My own favorite trompe l'oeil by Christopher Still is
Orchids, which is now in St. Petersburg's Museum of Fine Arts.
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| click to enlarge | Gulf Coast Museum of Art |
Here's a portrait of Silas Dent, a famous Florida character known as "The Happy Hermit of Cabbage Key." Silas Dent found happiness living an extremely simple and solitary life in a grass hut, and Still has portrayed him here with milk and honey.
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| St. Petersburg Times |
You can read more about the well-loved Silas Dent
here.
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| click to enlarge | Gulf Coast Museum of Art |
Still usually works on a large scale and has done numerous murals. In 1999, he was commissioned by the Florida House of Representatives to create 10 murals for the capitol building. Eight are of Florida's history, from pre-settlement to contemporary time, and two are of Florida's aquatic life. Above is
The Spring of Life.
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| click to enlarge | www.christopherstill.com |
A recent mural (2007) is this image for the Sandpearl Resort on Clearwater Beach. To give you a sense of scale, here's a photograph of Christopher at work on the painting . . .
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| www.christopherstill.com |
You can see more of Christopher Still's artwork at his own site:
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