Back to Canaan 3, oil on canvas and mixed media paper, 23.6 x 23.6" (59 x 59 cm)

WanNing Liao

Inspiration
Inspired by the biblical vision of Canaan, this is the third oil painting in my Return to Canaan series. The girl in the painting embodies the untouched purity of the original land, her embrace of a bird visually expressing the theme of “gentle guardianship.” Her innocence and tender care for the bird mirror Canaan’s symbolism as a land of rest and purity, symbolizing a return to the authentic state of life. The vintage floral patterns and soft hues create a serene atmosphere of “returning to the promised land,” symbolizing humanity’s quest for spiritual sanctuary and divine blessings amidst the complexities of the world.

Process
I began by applying a semi-oily base on the canvas. Using modeling paste, I created a semi-relief effect for the leaves and flowers. The outlines of the girl and the bird were sketched with charcoal, followed by a thin layer of diluted oil paint to build a soft, atmospheric foundation. To achieve a vintage texture, I layered translucent oil paints and employed local techniques like scraping and blending. The face was delicately shaded to accentuate her clear eyes and the natural look of freckles, while the background foliage was rendered with dry brushes and layered colors to mimic the weathered, mottled texture of time. After three weeks of meticulous adjustments and balancing, the painting ultimately captured the serene yet vibrant visual effect I envisioned.

Morning Before Christmas, oil, 36 x 48" (91 x 121 cm)

Olena Burykina

Inspiration
My family inspired this painting. Every year my family gathers for the Christmas holiday. The painting started as a portrait of my niece Laura, but it evolved into a more reflective piece of the family. It is a typical morning during Christmas vacation. Everyone is busy. I have always been impressed with my youngest niece. She somehow stays calm and finds balance and harmony in all the circumstances of a busy Christmas holiday.

Process
I started with the portrait of my niece and did a study of her head. As this evolved into the idea of the group portrait, I observed all the family members more closely at breakfast and took photos that characterized the routine of each person individually. The final composition of the painting combines several photo references and was finished in my studio.

Adventure Awaits, graphite and pastel, 24 x 18" (60 x 45 cm)

Wendi Zlamal

Inspiration
Imagination and creativity are powerful gifts we often lose touch with as we grow older. My work is deeply inspired by my 4-year-old son’s boundless imagination, which reignited a spark from my own childhood. He throws on a cape and suddenly transforms into a superhero ready to save the world! In those moments, he embodies pure confidence, courage and a belief in himself, something we strive to hold onto throughout our lives. This drawing captures the fun and limitless possibilities of play. He invites you into his world where dreams come true, and maybe you could help save the world, too. 

Process
This piece was truly a collaborative effort, and I am deeply proud of what my son and I created together. The process began with taking reference photographs. I gave him no direction during this stage because I wanted the images to feel genuine and unscripted. I photographed him from his level, slightly tilting the camera upward to create a sense of empowerment, allowing the viewer to look up at him as a hero. Detailed realism defines the main subject, while loose, expressive, childlike elements represent imagination in the background. I work on toned gray paper using graphite and white pastel, which allows me to achieve a full range of values while maintaining softness and depth. I also incorporate a subtle pop of colored pastel to draw attention to areas of significance and guide the viewer’s eye.

Afternoons at Mill House, oil, 30 x 20" (76 x 50 cm)

Ruth Fitton

Inspiration
Mill House is a tiny historic cottage full of paintings. The owners of the cottage are kind and down-to-earth, habitual adopters of both new art and stray cats. This is the second portrait they have commissioned from me, and it was lovely to work with them again.

Process
I visited the Mill House during a blazing week in June. We set up in the sitting room, where hot sunlight filtered through the venetian blinds in a muted glow. A head-and-shoulders composition of two people can be tricky, as you have to overcome the risk of two conflicting focal points and too much symmetry. Hitting on this composition felt like a win. Something about the arrangement of light and dark shapes, with the light entering from the side, told me that I had found not just a portrait but a painting. After taking many photos and some videos, I painted a study of the scene from life over the course of a couple of days. The aim of the study was to capture the character of the bond between my sitters by exploring the gestures of their body language and to accurately record the colors and values, which created the atmosphere of filtered summer light. The finished portrait was created in my own studio using a combination of all the reference material gathered at Mill House. My favorite element of the final piece is the variety of sharp and soft edges, which guide the eye through the painting.