Winner of the 2007 Taylorsville City Peoples Choice Award. The story behind the painting... I have been wanting to paint one of my typewriters for quite a while. I have 4 old Royals and this one is probably my favorite. The letter in the typewriter is to my Dad and the things I would say to him if he were still here. The watch on the table is his and displays the time he decided to leave this world. Carnations were his favorite flower and the vase they are in is a gift I recieved when I got married. He would tell me..."If you ever decide to get rid of that vase, could I have it"? I wish I would have just given it to him back then. I never knew anyone who read the Bible as much as my Dad! Clarence is one of my 5 cats but he's my best model. My wife brought home two wild kittens. I mean they were like a pair of Tasmanian Devils. Those kittens fell in love with Clarence and followed him where ever he went and he never seemed to mind instead just loved them like they were his children. To this day, even though they are grown, they still seek him out to be with him. He's a true father figure! I am adding a series of photos which shows the bond between these three cats. Look for it in my photos. The bookshelf is one that Grandfather built when he came to visit my Mom and Dad when I was young. The vase on the bookshelf is one that my Mother made in a ceramics class. I have not done many still lifes in any medium but have had a lot of fun with this one while learning a few things at the same time. I plan to do more soon. I don't know if it still qualifies as a still life when you have your pets included as models but I wanted to do a still life that had a relaxed feel to it. This original oil painting on canvas is 24x18 Thanks for the comments and suggestions!