Of all the genres I enjoy painting, figure painting is my favourite. Whether a portrait, an evocative pose, or a narrative scene, there is something compelling about the human subject.

I was drawn to the peaceful prone pose of the model, though we are left not knowing her waking thoughts. The decision to ‘crop’ the composition to only show her from the shoulder up was an easy one. Anymore would be a gratuitous distraction. We’ve intruded enough into her world.

It wasn’t easy letting this one go. Some paintings feel almost like family. But I am glad she is bringing a source of peaceful contemplation to another.