"Table Setting Rules II" Contemporary Original Realist Still Life Acrylic Painting by Carlos Gamez De Francisco

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This work is rooted in a formative period of my studies at the Art Institute of Chicago, when I had … Read more This work is rooted in a formative period of my studies at the Art Institute of Chicago, when I had the opportunity to take several classes across Europe—in Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands. Each place left a distinct mark on my practice, but it was the Netherlands that stayed with me most deeply, particularly through its rich still life tradition and sensitivity to everyday objects.

Table Setting Rules II builds on that influence. In this piece, dozens of flowers converse quietly with a porcelain vase and a wooden table, creating a composition that feels both structured and alive. The elements are carefully arranged, yet they carry a sense of natural movement and spontaneity, as if the scene is unfolding in real time.

A wasp and a bee move delicately around the flowers, introducing a subtle tension and reminding us of the presence of life beyond what is still. Their movement contrasts with the stillness of the objects, bringing energy and fragility into the composition.

The painting becomes a contemporary reflection on still life—where tradition meets observation, and where even the most familiar objects hold a quiet, dynamic presence. See less