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Table Citron is a painting that evolved . . . from a half-hearted start months and months ago . . . into a beautiful, airy, impressionistic, still life oil painting.

The lemons in the painting were the last three lemons that I plucked off my lemon tree last last spring.  I set them up in my studio, not with a copper pitcher, but with a pewter pitcher.  I started the painting from life, getting a decent start.  As I always do, I photographed my setup so I'd have a reference going forward if I needed it. 

Something about the painting wasn't working.  It sat on a studio shelf, in full view, as I worked on painting after painting.  I looked at Table Citron a lot, both consciously and unconsciously, I'm sure.  Then one day it hit me!  I needed to extend the window down behind the table, and I needed to get rid of the pewter pitcher and replace it with a copper one. 

Immediately, the painting took on a new airiness and excitement.  The copper juxtaposed against the cool light coming through the window panes and falling onto the table just worked.  And, those lemons, alongside the copper created a warm compositional element that contrasted beautifully with the coolness outside.   I truly love when this happens.  A few changes have given this oil painting a new look and a new life.

"Table Citron", 11" x 14", original oil on linen panel