Susan Butler-Graham’s “Sunny Centerpiece” spotlights the floral arrangement of sunflowers in a clear vessel.  At first look, a viewer might conclude the painting’s focus is in the middle of this artwork - which is normally not suggested.  However, the skilled techniques and the title of this work has this viewer second-guessing as to whether Susan deliberately centered the “centerpiece” or is cleverly pulling the eyes towards the true focus which is the dome of sunflowers.  While each may be true, the petals at the base of the centerpiece and the long stems pulling the eyes up, suggests the latter. Susan’s use of bold, bursting colors in the sunflowers exhibits an undeniable colorist at work in this painting which is also evidenced by the use of purple (complimenting the yellow petals) in the flower’s centers instead of a brown.  The refraction of the stems through the glassware is slight but also demonstrates the mastery of the artist and all of these unique features come together to make this piece stand out.