The Gold Standard 

Melissa Hefferlin created "The Gold Standard" with oil on canvas, a traditional choice for still life painting. Yet this isn't your typical arrangement. There are the flowers, of course, including magnificent sunflowers that seize your attention. But then there's the scarf with its Pop Art design, the quirky ceramic fish, and the humble lemon – all given equal importance. What unifies these objects is the way they are rendered. Hefferlin has focused on the smooth surfaces, carefully modulated colors, and above all the light, which throws everything into sharp relief. Still life painting has always been about value, both artistic and monetary. Here, Hefferlin seems to be inviting us to see the value in all things, regardless of their status or origin. It's a democratic vision of the world, one where craft, design, and nature can all coexist in harmony.