Artist Description
I painted “Release” from a point of tenderness, curiosity and acceptance. The vulnerability of a youth who is less jaded makes for the most beautiful subject. I find his posture in this work is one of exploring yet acceptance in the lack of understanding.
At first I wanted to put something in the young man’s hand but then I realised that the meaning of the work was far less direct than his examination of what nestled in his hand. The emotion that entered my being while I painted the work was that of letting go, even if it meant loosing something beautiful. The actual letting go and release became what was important to his wellbeing as the painting progressed. While I painted the area around his hand I saw it as more of an ether type substance that was being released.
Keywords: young man, beauty, bare chest,