Still Green

Description

In this work, I explore the quiet power of endurance and the persistence of life. I painted this piece as part of my rigorous preparation for my first live painting competition, a period of creative discipline that ultimately led to my success and a second-place finish at the Art Gallery of Hamilton. The vase, grounded in deep, earthy tones, supports leaves that reach outward with a steady strength. I utilized bold, gestural brushstrokes and shifting light to create a tension between stillness and growth. This contrast reflects the resilience required to remain present even during moments of pause. To me, the greenery is a symbol of life’s refusal to stay static; it is a visual documentation of the “in-between” moments where change is quiet yet inevitable. This vessel stands as a testament to that pivotal time in my practice where random acts of creation prepared me for the worst and helped me find the grace to succeed.