Grief -- Using the Body for Expression

Grief by Julia Zollman Wickes

oil with cold wax on canvas

juliawickes.com

Grief 

 Using the Body for Expression

The focus of the painting, Grief, is a woman in mourning experiencing a private moment.  Her hands protect her broken heart, and holding herself gives her warmth and comfort.  

As far back as medieval times, it was recorded that people used hand gestures to express moods and emotions.  Religions adopted blessings using the hands, the legal system uses certain hand gestures as a promise of truth and often parents comfort their children with their hands.  A gesture can speak for a person when they are unable or forbidden to speak.  I believe that these ritualized gestures came from the natural responses to emotions or behaviors.  

Oil paint mixed with cold wax allows me to give a softer look to the image.  The colors are gentle.