Las Laguna Gallery has accepted one of my pieces for their Women in Art exhibit. I finished this portrait painting, “Contemplation,” in 2018.

Willa sat for photographs in the studio after I was intrigued by the fox pelt and deer skull she had. The fox had been found killed at the side of the road and Willa painstakingly cleaned and tanned it. I wanted to make the background of this painting evocative and enigmatic… who knows where this is? And what is she thinking about? These are not questions I ponder when I paint, only afterwards. When I decide to paint a subject, it’s the connection I feel with what I’m seeing and the light, colour, contrast, texture, movement, and stillness that intrigue me.

Willa Murray is an artist too, who does leather-work and custom shoes at Willa Murray Design. She is also one of the core members in the Perth Autumn Studio Tour, as I am.

Please check out my piece and those of the rest of the talented artists in the Women in Art exhibit!  Look for the work of my friend Eleni Mokas, who also has a piece in this exhibit. The online show runs from March 4 to 27, 2021. See my website for more of my portraits and paintings of people.