The most popular subjects for still lifes still seem to be flowers in vases with the odd ornament placed alongside. Or the bowl of quinces/apples/pears/pomegranates (because they are a nice pink)/onions (because they’re a nice brown) /pumpkins (because they’re a nice orange) with various other kitchen items placed about. Very rarely does anyone paint soap, peas or ice cream.
Then there are paintings of small statues without arms surrounded by cloisonné bowls, copper pots, blue vinegar bottles, ginger jars and the carefully draped cloth. Sometimes we see paintings of dead birds upside down, limp fish on plates or shot rabbits looking very sad, wine bottles and napkins and the very easy to paint grape.
Roses, daisies and irises are popular with the ‘one stroke does all the petals’ approach and, in Australia, the easy to paint gum leaf (two strokes) and yellow wattle (one fluffy yellow dot) feature much too often. And don’t start me on red poppies!!! Argh.