Arts Design

THE MAGNIFICENT ART & BEAUTY OF DIVERSITY NOW

by Paulette Tavormina. Plums and Chinese Walnuts. Natura Morta series.

PAULETTE TAVORMINA

There is beauty in diversity, both in its essence and in its expression. We delight in variety, as it gives us choice, offering interesting discoveries and juxtapositions. Diversity offers endless opportunities for art.

Roses and Figs. Natura Morta Series.

Photographer Paulette Tavormina creates magnificent still life compositions that exalt beautiful diversity found in nature in her Natura Morta and Botanicals series.

Lemons and Pomegranates. Natura Morta series

Her lavish arrangements often incorporate a diverse array of voluptuous blossoms, exotic fruits, interesting shells and insects, combined with antique glass and porcelain vessels and found objects.

Crab Apples. Natura Morta series.

Tavormina’s photos have an Old World painterly quality, reminiscent of the 17th century Old Master still life paintings of Giovanna Garzoni, Francesco de Zurbarán, and Adriaen Coorte, with their use vivid color, texture, light and sumptuous detail.

Yellow Cherries and Crab Apples. Natura Morta series

“I am particularly fascinated by Zurbarán's mysterious use of dramatic light, Garzoni's masterful compositions and color palette, and Coorte's unique placements of objects,” Tavormina explains.

Watermelon Radishes. Natura Morta series.

Artists, scientists, naturalists, and collectors became particularly interested in the diversity of the natural world in the 17th century, as evidenced in the botanical encyclopedias, drawings, paintings and studies from the period.

Wild Raspberries. Natura Morta series.

A New York City native, Tavormina goes on treasure hunts at the city’s many farmers’ and flea markets to search for her subject matter, always mindful of.

Lemons and Prickly Pears. Natura Morta series.

"The essence of these paintings lingers with me as I gather my own flora, fauna, butterflies and treasured antiques to create the romantic vignettes within my photographs,” Tavormina tells us.

Peonies and Wisteria. Botanicals series.

“Years from now, I hope that the photographs I create will affect someone as deeply as the Old Masters' paintings have affected me,” Tavormina offers.

Peaches and Morning Glories. Natura Morta series.

Tavormina refers to a quote included in one of her favorites, ‘Eram Qvod Es.’ “The translation resonates within me: ‘Once I was what you are now.’"

Flowers & Fish II. Flowers, Fish & Fantasies series.

See more of Tavormina’s beautiful work on her Facebook and Instagram pages. You can also check out Tavormina’s beautiful images in the critically acclaimed The Beekman 1802 Heirloom Cookbook, in which she glorifies the diversity inherent in heirloom fruits and vegetables.

Bread & Dragonfly. Natura Morta series.

Sour Cherries. Natura Morta series.

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Blackberries and Peaches. Flowers, Fish & Fantasies series

IMAGE CREDITS:

Image: by Paulette Tavormina. Plums and Chinese Walnuts. Natura Morta series.
Image: by Paulette Tavormina. Roses and Figs. Natura Morta series.
Image: by Paulette Tavormina. Lemons and Pomegranates. Natura Morta series.
Image: by Paulette Tavormina. Crab Apples. Natura Morta series.
Image: by Paulette Tavormina. Yellow Cherries and Crab Apples. Natura Morta series
Image: by Paulette Tavormina. Watermelon Radishes. Natura Morta series.
Image: by Paulette Tavormina. Wild Raspberries. Natura Morta series.
Image: by Paulette Tavormina. Lemons and Prickly Pears. Natura Morta series.
Image: by Paulette Tavormina. Peonies and Wisteria. Botanicals series.
Image: by Paulette Tavormina. Peaches and Morning Glories. Natura Morta series.
Image: by Paulette Tavormina. Flowers & Fish II. Flowers, Fish & Fantasies series.
Image: by Paulette Tavormina. Bread & Dragonfly. Natura Morta series.
Image: by Paulette Tavormina. Sour Cherries. Natura Morta series.
Image: by BN App - Download now!
Image: by Paulette Tavormina. Blackberries and Peaches. Flowers, Fish & Fantasies series.