“Promises Repose” is a black-and-white abstract I painted after walking a quiet stretch of coastal trail. No big moment sparked it. I just felt the need to stop and let the silence do some work.
I paint plein air, which is”art speak” for painting outdoors and surrounded by nature. But this one came from what was left after the hike. The mental reset. The quiet that lingers if you let it.
The piece is made up of rough textures and soft layers. Light above, dark below. It’s not a landscape exactly, but it kind of has the way one might see this abstract painting.
The Calm We Don’t Always Let Ourselves Have
Everyone talks about how important rest is, but doing it? Actually letting yourself slow down? That’s the hard part. We’re so used to being busy that even sitting still feels uncomfortable.
Turns out, we’re not built for nonstop work. Our brains and bodies need breaks. Without them, stress piles up and doesn’t go anywhere. But when we take time to be present, things start to shift. That’s what this painting is about: the shift.
Stillness That Doesn’t Ask Permission
Some calm has to be carved out. “Promises Repose” came from that kind of moment. It is a deliberate pause, not one handed over easily. The act of painting this was slow, repetitive, almost meditative. But it wasn’t passive. I had to quiet the mental noise just long enough to listen to what the surface was saying. The result isn’t loud or showy. It just exists.
Rest Takes Practice
Most people feel a little guilty when they stop. Like they should be doing something “useful.” But the longer I paint, the more I’ve realized that doing nothing isn’t a waste. It’s part of the process. Nature shows this all the time. Trees don’t grow faster because we tell them to. The same goes for creativity and clarity. They need space.
The dark base of the painting feels heavy and grounded. The top is lighter, textured, like breath rising. That balance is that shift from weight to air. It’s the nevy ground to the light sky.
Let the Painting Do the Talking
There’s no obvious subject in “Promises Repose.” That’s on purpose. I didn’t want to tell people what to see or feel. It’s about giving the viewer space to just be with it. No pressure. No deeper meaning you need to chase.
