#44134 Benjamin Palencia

Here we observe a still life composition dominated by sunflowers arranged within a ceramic vessel. The artist has employed a thick impasto technique, evident in the pronounced texture of the paint application across the canvas. This textural quality lends a sense of immediacy and physicality to the scene.
The sunflowers themselves are rendered with bold strokes of yellow and brown, their centers depicted as dense accumulations of pigment that suggest depth and complexity. The petals radiate outwards, capturing a dynamic energy despite their static representation on the two-dimensional surface. Leaves, painted in varying shades of green, provide contrast against the vibrant yellows and contribute to the overall sense of natural abundance.
The ceramic container holding the flowers is rendered in muted browns and tans, its form simplified but recognizable. It sits upon a table or surface that dissolves into an abstract background of blues and whites. The background isnt merely a backdrop; it actively participates in the composition through its swirling brushstrokes, creating a sense of movement and visual tension.
The color palette is largely warm – yellows, browns, greens – juxtaposed against cooler blues and whites. This contrast enhances the vibrancy of the sunflowers and creates a visually engaging experience for the viewer. The limited depth of field contributes to a flattened perspective, emphasizing the decorative qualities of the arrangement.
Subtly, there’s an impression of transience embedded within the work. While the sunflowers are presented in their full bloom, the thick application of paint and the somewhat chaotic brushwork hint at the fleeting nature of beauty and life itself. The vessel, a man-made object, provides a sense of containment against this natural cycle. It suggests a desire to preserve or capture something ephemeral.

The signature is visible in the lower left corner.