Breeze

Sitting Pretty

Following on from the attention to detail of ‘Tango Rouge’, this piece too has a very strong feeling of clarity to it. While it is important to retain a feeling of softness, I spent a great deal of time balancing the whole painting so that the viewer could enjoy, for instance, the soft, silken appearance of her hair in contrast to the sharply defined tension in her hand holding the glass of wine. This carried through to the pin-pointed sparkle of the glass itself and the almost luminescent appearance of the girl’s athletic back. Yes, backs do feature rather heavily in my work! The exposure of a beautiful back is incredibly seductive without being overstated. It also says volumes about the attitude and personality of the sitter.

As with my other work, it is very rewarding to take a genre and do something different with it. For me, while the girl’s pose is unavoidably inviting, she also looks natural. This is not over-posed or excessively erotic. I think the balance has been achieved and the viewer is not simply looking at a beautiful creature sipping wine, but observing a striking dancer taking a little time out, amid the energetic demands of the Tango. I want the viewer to reflect on my dance pieces and imagine how a scene would look if the woman dancing, was taking a break. This painting could also be the exploration of, not just a performer at rest, but a woman waiting for her man. This could be a moment of conspicuous flirtation in which one man, should he be worthy, is about to have a very interesting evening.

These stories are all possible, but what is most gratifying, is the use of paint itself. I would like the viewer, before or during interpretation , to relish in the differing surfaces and tones; to feel the softness of her hair, the harshness of the wooden chair, the rich material of her vibrant dress, the warmth of the light and the grace and solidity of how she sits in the cushion. These are the most satisfying elements for a painter to capture.

Limited Edition Print
Edition of: 150
Image Size: 30 x 30
Medium: Canvas On Board

Mounted: £521.98
Framed: £650.00