Still life painting is my passion. There is an endless variety of subject matter to choose from. I have accumulated a vast range of props. My studio is crammed with favorite glass vases, teapots, paper flowers, bowls and fabrics. I look for appealing shapes, bold patterns and strong colors, and objects that reflect my personal taste. These add character to my painting.

I also have a collection of photographs of flower bouquets from my garden. I sketch flowers from life in addition to using my reference photos. For this particular still life, I used a photo of my garden sunflowers that I set up on a table outside in direct sunlight. To contrast with the bright yellow colors of the flowers, I added a striped cloth behind it and also the deep, black values of the windows. Sunflowers are a favorite of mine and they signify a positive, sunny attitude.