The subject material in this painting incorporates two elements that the artist loves, wine and gardening, particularly tropical gardening. The flowers, (Proteas) come from the artist’s garden as well as the palm leaf. The small fruits you see in the foreground are called lychees. These are from a specialty store that sells exotic fruits and were used to complete the feeling of the piece. The wooden bowl is made of Koa wood and was a gift from a friend in Hawaii. Christensen selected this image to paint because it conveys the bright light, colors and warmth that anyone who has been to the tropics can appreciate.