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The Truth Behind the Still Life Part II

April 22, 2016 by Barb 17 Comments

Yesterday I was on a bit of a rant about how I store my still life props here in Arizona. Well, to the person who asked … this is how:
Still Life, Ranunculus, Keeping With the Times, Barb Brookbankand this … Still Life, Ranunculus, Keeping With the Times, Barb BrookbankThe answer is “most of my props are part of the decor.” Granted they are not always looking so perfect, but whose home always looks perfect?

Early mornings as I have coffee, I enjoy these sunny vignettes:Still LifeBut who wants to see door knobs in a still life? I tend to try to keep mine out ;)Still LifeMost of my props are part of my daily life. I live with them.Still Life Some are hidden behind closed doors (looking all tidy.) But that chair I just picked up for $15.00? We use it. It’s not only stunningly beautiful, it’s sturdy.Still LifeMuch of our furniture is rustic and doubles as backgrounds:Still LifeStill LifeAlright. Truth: workhorses such as extra backgrounds, vases, tins, rocks, and branches are stored out of sight.

I have two shoe boxes on a shelf in the laundry above the washer and dryer. I have a plastic tub in a closet in the spare room, and I store vases in a cupboard in the garage.

We do have a lot of extra space around here (which could enabling hoarding.)

The garage storage doesn’t look bad … and this is 4 years of collecting. I have a thing for vases and containers of any kind for holding flowers and branches.az-still-life-4

So, no. I haven’t conquered my obsession of gathering and acquiring props for still life. But my choices have changed. I can tell you I’ve been in Winners and Home Goods and Marshalls many times since the end of February, and I’ve purchased only a fraction of what I used to. I’m not saying people shouldn’t shop at these stores – it’s simply a choice I made and this blog is keeping me accountable.

As I said in my first post, it’s the garage sale items, the cast-offs, and the Goodwill goodies that I’ve become addicted to. That is not the problem since it’s a fantastic form of recycling. The problem is #1 where do I store the stuff, and #2 how much energy do I want to spend on acquiring, storing, and organizing. Right now I’m enjoying myself, so why did that person’s comment put me in such a defensive mode?

I’m slowly coming to the conclusion that guilt is part of this hobby, and maybe I should simply accept it.

Alrighty then!

I will allow myself to feel the guilt when I hand over a dollar for an old rusty tin. Then I will feel the guilt when I bring it home and stick it in a cupboard.

Guilt, my constant companion, you are welcome.

I hope you’ll join me next time when I talk about my fabulous painted background that makes door knobs and other unsavoury items disappear ;)

desert-margiold-1-barbbrookbankRead Part III

Filed Under: Still Life

Comments

  1. Liz says

    April 22, 2016 at 6:58 pm

    I absolutely love your old tables and the chair! I adore the old books and the vases!! I’ve been avoiding collecting things like this as I don’t like clutter, but your images have reignited my yearning for old things.
    I’m going to look around now… I will tell my hubby that your blog is the culprit. Haha!

    Reply
    • Barb says

      May 1, 2016 at 8:07 am

      Thank you Liz! ;)

      Reply
  2. Cheryl M says

    April 23, 2016 at 6:33 am

    I’m much like you Barb, my props are used throughout my home. I will say that if you must accept the guilt, please do so………because you sure make some awesome still life shots with your “treasures”!! LOVELY! Looking forward to your painted background post!!

    Reply
    • Barb says

      May 1, 2016 at 8:07 am

      Thank you Cheryl! I so appreciate your stopping by and commenting too!

      Reply
  3. Barbara Carroll says

    April 23, 2016 at 4:27 pm

    First of all, it made me so happy to see that canvas because I know where you took that shot. I have made almost the same mindset switch as you have. I have to live with this stuff. I don’t have a lot of storage space and I have managed to fill it up very well, thank you. I have just become more thoughtful with my purchases. So nice to catch up with you here. I hope I’ll see you in Tucson again when it cools off.

    Reply
    • Barb says

      April 26, 2016 at 6:43 pm

      Hi Barbara, I love that you noticed the canvas and I have very fond memories of that day. I hope we meet again soon!

      Reply
  4. Suzanne says

    April 25, 2016 at 2:24 pm

    Forgot to mention in my last
    comment that I’m also an
    aficionado of GW, vintage and
    junk stores. I love to consider
    the stories behind each item
    that I acquire and yes, the price
    is usually very right.

    My youngest will be a senior in
    HS next year, so my hubby and
    I are definitely in paring back
    mode as we consider where we
    will live next. I really love your
    sweet AZ home — it’s as lovely
    as I imagine that you are, too.

    Keep collecting what makes you
    happy, as it makes your readers
    and IG followers happy, too : )

    xo Suzanne

    Reply
    • Barb says

      May 1, 2016 at 8:08 am

      Thank you for your sweet words Suzanne – I always love to read them! xo

      Reply
  5. Lynda Adlington says

    April 26, 2016 at 2:48 am

    Hi there, have not long been a follower of KK and a member of the ‘one year on’ group, ( found you all through somebody in my photoartistry group with Sebastian Michaels, mentioning KK )
    so am really doing s lot of catching up with you all at present. Love your blog and found it so interesting – you reallly don’t have to worry about collecting ‘stuff’ I’m a gold medalist at it :-) and actually don’t feel too guilty. I’ve found that things that I bought years ago suddenly have their time in the spotlight and almost everything i buy will be used in my photography at some stage ( my husband might not agree with this statement of course) We recently moved house last July and i have a barn full of boxes still to be unpacked but my it will be so exciting. My memory isn’t so good so everything will be like seeing it again for the first time :-)

    Reply
    • Barb says

      May 1, 2016 at 8:09 am

      Totally love your attitude Lynda! thank you so much for your support ;)

      Reply
  6. Ginny says

    April 26, 2016 at 9:17 am

    Love this story and I can’t wait to hear about your painted backgrounds. Feel proud that you are giving such a loving home to all your collection.

    Reply
    • Barb says

      May 1, 2016 at 8:09 am

      Thank you Ginny! xo

      Reply
  7. Kelly Kardos says

    April 29, 2016 at 3:25 pm

    Gahhhhhhh-Thank you for giving us a peek into your beautiful AZ home. Very cozy and I like your style…especially when your props are actually your home decor.

    Reply
    • Barb says

      May 1, 2016 at 8:09 am

      Thank you sweet Kelly! xo

      Reply
  8. Kelly says

    May 1, 2016 at 7:44 am

    I’m right there with you. I see all these cool things I want, but then think… ‘where the heck am I going to put that after the shoot?’ If it won’t work in the house, I won’t get it. Although, truth be told… twice I have bought something, shot it and returned it. Confession is good for the soul, right? ;)
    I love seeing your AZ house too! My Mom lived in Prescott for 4 years. Wild boars and cactus. :)
    Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Barb says

      May 1, 2016 at 8:11 am

      Thank you Kelly! I actually just heard about that idea (of returning things!) I think it’s something to keep in mind … bring it home, shoot it, and if it isn’t just right return it … no harm done ;)

      Reply
  9. Lisa says

    May 1, 2016 at 5:39 pm

    Loved this. Thanks so much for sharing. I am not alone. :)

    Reply

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Welcome! I'm Barb, and this is where I practice my mantra to "learn something new, try something different". It's my hope that something I do here may inspire you! Read More…

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