Finalist of the STILL: National Still Life Award 2025
‘No Sudden Movements’ 2025
24 × 30” oil on canvas
Gamblin gamvar satin varnish
Ready to hang
No Sudden Movements is a contemporary still life that reimagines the everyday chaos of a dog-owning household as a modern-day battlefield. Scattered across the floor are the defeated “ soldiers”— half-destroyed dog toys— captured in the quiet aftermath of play. The title hints at a humorous yet slightly ominous narrative: no sudden movements, or the attacker may strike again.
A subtle clue to the unseen aggressor appears in the top corner of the painting— just a pair of paws, calm but foreboding. Through careful composition, the viewer is led to piece together what has unfolded on this domestic battleground. Relatable to many dog owners, the work blends humour and tension in a uniquely imaginative perspective.
Original oil painting by Olivia Cotovich.
Finalist of the STILL: National Still Life Award 2025
‘No Sudden Movements’ 2025
24 × 30” oil on canvas
Gamblin gamvar satin varnish
Ready to hang
No Sudden Movements is a contemporary still life that reimagines the everyday chaos of a dog-owning household as a modern-day battlefield. Scattered across the floor are the defeated “ soldiers”— half-destroyed dog toys— captured in the quiet aftermath of play. The title hints at a humorous yet slightly ominous narrative: no sudden movements, or the attacker may strike again.
A subtle clue to the unseen aggressor appears in the top corner of the painting— just a pair of paws, calm but foreboding. Through careful composition, the viewer is led to piece together what has unfolded on this domestic battleground. Relatable to many dog owners, the work blends humour and tension in a uniquely imaginative perspective.
Original oil painting by Olivia Cotovich.
