Jonah Landor-Yamagata

Working from life largely through direct observation allows me to focus on the subtleties of objects and environments and let my mind wander. I enjoy how, when being still, interesting and even dramatic phenomena emerge that I normally would have missed. The objects depicted in these still life works have been found, collected and sometimes boxed away for years. Some were unearthed along urban creeks, discarded long ago. Others were inherited, gifts or special finds or just a random thing of interest. There are often plants featured in the process of growth. I begin by gathering together a few things around me that catch my attention for one reason or another—then, ideally, they take on a life of their own.