This piece is simple and grounded, an exploration of organic form rather than strict realism. I’ve always been drawn to big leaves, maybe because they’re just more enjoyable to shade than tiny, intricate ones. There’s something satisfying about working with large, flowing shapes, and in this case, they became the anchor of the composition. I didn’t set out to make a perfectly realistic still life. Instead, my focus was on form, contrast, and texture, especially seen in the sheets that fold and drape beneath the objects. The arrangement itself is a bit odd and playful: garlic, apples, mangos, a pinecone, and a pot. It’s an unusual combination, but I liked how it came together organically, like a quiet gathering of nature’s oddities. The piece feels like a woven moment, layers of fabric, foliage, and fruit creating a kind of visual tapestry. Conte was the right choice for capturing those soft yet rich contrasts. I didn’t overthink the meaning while I made it, but looking back, it reminds me how nature doesn’t always need to make perfect sense to be beautiful. It just is.