Strength and Presence

As I painted this, I really wanted to capture a sense of quiet strength—her gaze is steady, confident, almost challenging, but there’s warmth in it too. I played with bold, angular brushstrokes to shape her features, letting the light and shadow carve out that sense of resilience. The colors in her clothing were just as important; they’re rich, warm, and full of movement, reflecting a deep connection to culture and tradition.

The background is looser, more expressive—just hints of the land behind her, because I wanted the focus to be on her presence. There’s a sense of community in this piece too, not just in what she’s wearing, but in the way she holds herself, like she carries the strength of generations before her. Painting this felt like a conversation, like I was trying to translate something unspoken about identity and pride onto the canvas.