Studio post · August 13, 2026
Yesterday, I completed my latest painting as part of the Seattle Prize. The piece is titled “Cold Front” — a reference both to the winter landscape and to the psychology of the portrait itself. The woman stands alone on a snow-covered slope, her presence as quiet and ambiguous as the landscape around her. There is something guarded about her posture and expression, but exactly what she is thinking or feeling remains unresolved. I wanted to leave enough uncertainty for viewers to enter the painting themselves and construct their own narrative around the figure and the moment. There is also a particular kind of silence that comes with snow. It absorbs sound and seems to slow everything down. I wanted Cold Front to have some of that same quality, to feel almost as audible as it is visual. The muted landscape, restrained palette, and solitary figure create a world that feels removed from the noise and urgency of everyday life. More than anything, I hope the painting creates a world and vibe that viewers can inhabit, even if it’s just a moment passing through our gallery. It doesn’t ask for a particular interpretation or offer a clear story. Instead, it provides a still space to look, wonder, and rest for a moment. I’m proud to have “Cold Front”join the remarkable body of work created by the first-year cohort of the Seattle Prize.
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