A wonderful still life by a modern painter who studied and practiced old-school oil painting techniques. What I like best about this painting is the quirky and interesting assortment of objects he has decided to include, in order to show his mastery across a variety of surfaces. But my favorite touch is the goldfish swimming in the goblet of Mexican glass! Bio: Louis Tedesco was born in Manhattan in 1947. He started painting in 1959, and was recently featured in an article in Southwest Art magazine, "Eight New Masters Explore Traditional Painting." His formal studies began at Ithaca College in 1965, where he originated as a drama major. He continued his education at the Maryland Institute, College of Art in Baltimore, MD and later at the Fechin Institute for a number of years, at the Institute's studio facility in San Cristobal, New Mexico. Tedesco moved to Taos, NM in 1993 where he painted full time and became and instructor at the Taos Institute of Art. In 2003, Louis decided it was time for a change and moved to the Sunshine State where he lived in the Sarasota area. Critical comments have been positive: "He is an eloquent artist who imbues the commonplace with subtle splendor. He is interested in painting as a means of investigating what happens between the dark and the light… especially in the still life compositions for which he is renowned." Suzanne Deats, Focus/Santa Fe. "Gladiolas and Iris" is an example of the quiet intensity of which Tedesco is capable… the painting reveals Tedesco's Zen-like understanding of opposites in what is traditionally a Western-European style of painting." Melody Romancito, Taos Magazine. "A major turning point in Louis Tedesco's approach to painting took place in the 1980's, when he was exposed to the teaching methods and concepts of painter David Leffel…With Leffel,… he began to understand the primacy of light and shadow and their ability to produce a sense of realism in paintings. Tedesco…employs these principles to create an exquisitely touchable quality in his still life compositions of vessels, flowers, and fruit. Yet, like many of the old master's he never disguises the presence of the paint." Gussie Fauntleroy, Southwest Art Magazine. Louis Tedesco passed away on August 24th, 2007. 31”h x 37”w (24”h x 30”w unframed)