On Certain Ground 30″ x 24″ Oil on canvas – NFS Exhibiting Oct. 2026
She stands with quiet assurance, as though shaped by the places she has known. Around her, fragments of architecture, citrus, patterned textiles, trees, and winding streets gather into a landscape that feels both familiar and imagined. Rather than describing one location, these elements suggest a life enriched by many places, each leaving its own impression.
Her presence is calm yet self-possessed. Warm ochres, terracotta, sunlit yellows, and deep blues create a sense of history and belonging, while the layered imagery invites questions rather than answers. Are these places she remembers, landscapes she carries within her, or fragments of a heritage that continues to shape her? The painting leaves space for each viewer to discover their own connections.
On Certain Ground reflects the quiet confidence that can emerge from carrying many experiences into one life. It is a portrait that celebrates identity not as something fixed, but as something gathered over time—formed through memory, place, and the stories we choose to keep.
If this piece resonates with you at all, please reach out. I’d love to hear your comments. This painting joins part of a collection I just completed, and is the 6th piece in the collection.
The Beginning:
On Certain Ground began with this 20″ x 16″ oil on panel. To the right is the 10″ x 8″ collage that inspired it.
On Certain Ground 20″ x 16″ Oil on masonite panel – $1850
Categories: New Paintings, Original oil paintings, People, portraits
Catherine- The interpretation is profound. The description of memory reflects thoughts similar to my own. The color choice is perfect. Bravo!
Thanks so much Mike! I really appreciate your reflection and hearing you related to the description of memory. Catherine