Judge's remarks: This elegant piece is striking in so many ways. It is clear to me that the artist spent many hours considering their subject matter and paying attention to those tiny elements that make a work come to life. The color and details are soft and handled with a delicate hand. The smoothness of the apricots, the stitching on the quilted floral placemat, and the metal texture of the key all serve to give the viewer a sense of the material of each item. As well, the masterful handling of the bowl and its reflection of light onto the tablecloth, and the distorted view of apricots underneath are details that are delightful. The composition is well thought out and provides balance and visual flow. This artist not only has complete control of their medium, they have also gone beyond and created a piece that speaks on so many levels. Color, composition, and an instinct for the texture of each object they chose to add to their still life all elevate this piece.