Most of our lives are spent observing the surface of things—the ripples, the reflections, the distractions. This piece was created to force a deeper look. Inspired by the clarity found in cold, mountain-fed rivers, Beneath the Surface is a visual representation of the mental stillness that occurs when we dive past the noise of the 9-to-5 world and reconnect with our core values.

To capture the translucency of water, I used a series of glazed layers contrasted against heavy, "sculpted" water at one side of the composition. This creates a pull downward into the depths of the canvas. The light in this piece is trapped between the layers, and on the gold leaf, creating a glow that changes depending on the time of day the piece is viewed.

This painting is a call to authenticity. It celebrates the hidden beauty that is only visible when we stop rushing and allow ourselves to sink into the present moment. It is a feeling of movement and luxury for a modern interior.