This series was inspired by the Juan Sánchez Cotán still life Quince, Cabbage,Melon and Cucumber painted in 1602. The scene with its quince and cabbage hanging by strings in an uncluttered, dark niche is arresting and suggestive of a stage set.  I used this motif to create still life "stage sets" using studio objects as props. (View Contán painting here) 

 

My sets are scenes of imaginary landscapes, seascapes, self portraits using studio and kitchen tools, and still lifes that upend the subject and mood of the Cotán painting.