Boats in calm water 

Theophrastos Triantafyllidis painted "Boats in Calm Water" using oil on canvas, a traditional fine art medium that has been around for centuries. But while the materials are conventional, the way Triantafyllidis handles them is anything but. Notice the thick, almost sculptural quality of the paint, especially in the reflections on the water. It's as if he's building the image up from the surface of the canvas, layer by layer. This tactile approach speaks to the labor involved in painting, the physical act of applying pigment to canvas. It reminds us that art is not just about ideas or representation, but also about the skilled manipulation of materials. And in this case, the material itself – oil paint – becomes a key part of the artwork's meaning. It's a humble substance, yet in the hands of an artist like Triantafyllidis, it can be transformed into something truly beautiful and evocative.