Still Life Assignment...

Found Still Life #1

Found Still Life #2

Found Still Life #3

Found Still Life #4

Arranged Still Life

My reason for making and submitting this photo is because of the journal in the image. The journal is very special to me. The entry written at the beginning better explains it:

THE ORIGIN OF THIS JOURNAL

"We were in the heart of Tuscany, in the tiny village of Montepulciano--an hour's drive south of Florence. With its ancient walls, grand architecture and enchanting streets, Montepulciano is a very "special" place--even in Tuscany where everything is "special".

"I happened upon Maledetti Toscani--the oldest shop in the village. To enter its doors is to be transported back in time 200 years, or more.

"Let me try to describe the ambience. The shop was small, very small. It had high ceilings. The lighting was warm, and not very bright, barely lighting the room.

"The shopkeeper exactly fit my mind's image of Geppetto of Pinocchio fame. He spoke very little English, which was better than my ability to speak Italian.

"The store was a paper shop, founded at the same location in 1848. It sells exquisite Italian papers, mostly in the form of diaries, journals, sketchbooks, etc. Shelves are laden with fine writing paper of all colors, weight, texture and size.

"For me the paper in my journal had to have the "right" feel. I knew I would recognize it by rubbing my fingers over it. I wanted it to be off-white, but not too creamy. The texture had to have a "tooth" feel to it, because I planned to write in it primarily with my favorite fountain pen.

"The "piece de resistance" was that my journal was "wrapped" in a large leather cover and flap to protect the paper during frequent use. It is tied with a long leather strap and when I untie it and fold back the cover and begin to write, my only hope is that my thoughts and words do my journal justice."

P.S.   The still life was set up on an antique ladies writing desk that Deborah and I purchased when we got married 45 years ago this past January 31.