Geisha (Sold)
I painted this while working through a lot of emotion—feeling lost and frustrated. Her gaze carries that weight. She might be looking at you, or just past you, and it’s up to the viewer to decide what she’s thinking. Peaceful? Sad? Something in between?
This was an experiment in light and contrast—chiaroscuro with loose, impressionistic brushwork. I wanted the light to feel fluid, almost shimmering against the dark background. The red and blue in her clothing gave me space to play with warmth and coolness, and the pose felt natural, like she’s caught mid-thought.
This piece won 3rd place in a juried exhibit, and the judge described it as “a shimmering sense of light in contrast to the shadows” and “a quiet and contemplative figure that could be interpreted as peaceful or even sad.” I couldn’t have said it better.
