This is an original still life that took me 3 years to complete (from 2007 to 2010) both for emotional and logistical reasons. Back in the Soviet Union times in the 1980s, I was apprenticing with one great Georgian artist. He was a heavy smoker and drinker. And such a "still life" was a typical set on his table next to his easel while he was painting. When I looked at my teachers photos back in 2007 and saw that "still life", I wanted to recreate it for emotional nostalgical reasons. It was difficult to find those non-filtered cigarettes and the similar fish, since it was gone long time ago together with the Soviet era. The cigarettes also have a sub-meaning - they symbolize the Caucuses. The name of the cigarettes is Kazbek, which is one of the most beautiful mountains in Georgia and the most beloved one by all the Georgians. I hope that with this picture I can convey to the viewer the feeling of gratitude to my Master and slight nostalgia for my youth.