The still life is the hero of artists looking for a style breakthrough, painters who want to work on technique and anyonr wanting to study perspective, tonal values, composition and spacial relationships.  All of that is the reason I teach the still life in my class, Painting With Expression. I also demonstrate with a live painting, so the students can see what I'm talking about, not just listen to the words. This painting was one of those demos, which came out in a pleasing way. The demo paintings have a way of teaching me, too!