Enduring Presence

About the Piece

Back in my studio, I abandoned my usual delicate approach. This piece demanded something more primal, more direct. I worked with thicker applications of paint, building layers of earthy tans and deep blacks that mimic the stratified history of stone. I incorporated actual charcoal into the medium, letting its raw, elemental quality speak to the primordial nature of rock.

The Japanese concept of shibui—beauty in understatement—guided me as I worked. While the piece appears simple at first glance, closer inspection reveals complex textures and subtle variations in tone that reward contemplation, much like a stone surface changes as sunlight moves across it throughout the day.

What makes "Enduring Presence" different from my other works is its grounding force. Where my pieces often invite you to float away into dreamy abstraction, this one pulls you down, anchors you in something solid and unchanging. It's about finding strength in stillness, wisdom in patience.

I hope when you stand before this piece, you feel that same sense of timelessness I experienced—a reminder that in our chaotic, ever-changing world, there is value in being steadfast, in enduring. That sometimes the strongest presence is the quietest one.

"In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you." – Buddha