Precipice

When I start work, sometimes I don't have a clear idea of what it's going to be when it's finished. The idea develops through the process almost like a conversation between nature, myself and the work. I find this search really exciting. It's almost more interesting than the finished work itself as it leads me to try new things and understand how I want to translate what I'm observing. The model was posing nude when I started working on the portrait, but as it was getting cold she wore a jacket and the moment reminded me of the stillness before the cold begins. I decided to include it in the work to drive the narrative and the mood I wanted to express. Even though I have a story to tell, it's also important for me to leave room for the viewer's imagination to come with their own interpretation and find meaning.