Ode to Mary Ann
by vawendy

Comment:
My comment didn't go through, my mistake. This is beautiful, one of my top ratings.

Silky swallow-wort, butter stamps and lantern
by skewsme

Comment:
This is a bit off the beaten trail, but is very handsome and mysterious. The shapes are interesting and feel right. The glow of the lovely lantern is spell-binding. The inclusion of the butter stamps and swallow-wort, likewise interesting, works fine.

Just add Lemon
by thrumyiis

Comment:
As a study, the colors, the textures and lighting work well. The separate elements do not seem to work together as a whole. The tilted lemon half atop the left hand vase feels out of place, even if it was meant to be whimsical. You certainly shoot a handsome still life, but more cohesiveness, harmony and planning will garner much appreciation.

Preserves
by jcar

Comment:
I like everything about this image but for the uninteresting lineup of the honey jars. Maybe if they were arranged in more casual fashion, with some other elements such as sprays of flowers, baked goods, etc.. The sunlight through them is beautiful, the light is strong and embracing, and the background perfectly sets them off.

A Tribute to Mary Ann
by Lydia

Comment:
Very nicely thought out and composed. The colors are lovely and harmonize. I don't know why the eggs are there, maybe a hen was sitting upon them, but it looks fine.

n/a
by Tiberius

Comment:
Beautifully dreamy and creamy. The carnations and the baby's breath (?) don't appear to work well together, mainly in size and height. The use of the broken carnation, however, is bold and I like it. I also like the dark background, with its out of focus details.

In the kitchen
by mariuca

Comment:
This is one of two personal co-favorites, so my quibbles don't detract from how much I do enjoy it. The two larger onions and the paper bag are terrific, as is the lighting. The bowl is a fine one, and I understand the desire for such a placement, but it's a bit cumbersome, dominates the left, and is not done any favor by the tiny onion sitting on the dividing line of the piece of furniture. The dividing line in the center of the background is distracting.
I hope these criticisms are seen for what they are, well-intentioned and a comparison of a stellar right hand of the image with the left. It's all subjective, of course.

Winter Squash with Shallots
by grahamgator

Comment:
This image has the warm, quiet glow that epitomizes Mary Ann's still lifes. The objects, well-chosen as they are, are nicely balanced and composed. The light is a big part of the pleasure of viewing it. The table and background work beautifully in encompassing the whole. If this is not done by Mary Ann, then whoever has devised such a charming still life has certainly absorbed her wonderful guidance, along with a natural talent.
Personal favorite of the challenge.

Painterly
by MargaretNet

Comment:
Like a day in the woods as the wind whispers of eternity. Lovely and evocative.

Mood II
by lei_73

Comment:
Beautiful portrait, handsomely achieved.