Snails Day Off

Oil on canvas, 32 x 40 inch

This painting was inspired by the peaceful coexistence of a group of snails in my garden on a cold day. I attempted to express my feelings of serenity in relation to the subject matter.
The overly blended yellow section attempts to serve as a radiant focal point that evokes a sense of warmth and tranquillity, contrasting the thicker, icy blue marks seen in the background of the painting. The interplay of these colours references the harmonious balance of the natural world, presenting my feelings of contemplation when observing such small, resilient creatures. I think this carefully blended technique captures the delicacy of their movement and the subtle beauty in their unhurried pace, which is something I feel my work often lacks. I will be using similar techniques in the future to diversify my practice.
The juxtaposition of these two aspects of the painting could serve as a visual metaphor where moments of stillness and peace coexist with the dynamic backdrop of life’s challenges.