The Gold Standard 

"The Gold Standard" is a still life painting by Melissa Hefferlin, featuring a vibrant arrangement of sunflowers and other blooms, a decorative fish figurine, and a patterned fabric. The artist's keen attention to detail creates a sense of realism in this work, emphasizing the textures and colors of the objects depicted. The sunflowers are rendered in a captivating manner, with their bright yellow petals contrasting against the muted background. The painting utilizes a minimalist composition and precise brushwork, showcasing the artist's mastery of still life painting. This work exemplifies Hefferlin's artistic practice, which often explores themes of nature, beauty, and the everyday.