Still life subjects have always fascinated me but have been genre in which I've done the least amount of work.  My first real attempt was a rather large painting (36" x 48" canvas) below that I started in 2000, completing only 20% of the painting before returning to it some 8 years later to finish after 100+ hours of work.  Food and Wine are near and dear to me, being in the Wine Industry now for some 32+ year as General Manager for various wineries and wine companies, so wine themed paintings are a natural for me.  The ultra realism style can be fulfilling if the subject matter is complex enough.