Bailey came into our lives described in her ownership certificate as a Labrador mix. That illusion was immediately dispelled by the vet, who pronounced that she was everything except a Labrador, mix, or otherwise!. “She is half American mastiff and half British pointer” he announced. As Transatlantic as you can get. She is hyperactive, a three-year-old bullet on steroids, and we love her to bits. Looking at this photo of us in my garden, it struck me: it’s not actually about “us” or a specific story. It’s about the balance, or maybe the synergy, between two bodies in a landscape that doesn’t need to shout to be noticed. It all feels so natural; the posture is easy, the backdrop is calm.
It reminds me of a foundational rule I live by: before you worry about colour or rigorous composition, you have to find what I call the presence. The weight. The stillness. We aren’t just standing in the place; we’re a part of it. I don’t usually turn photos like this into direct paintings, but they act as a “mood board” for the studio. They remind me how restraint works and that emotional connection can be found in the most common situations.
When you look at a piece of art, do you find yourself looking for the ‘story’ first, or the ‘feeling’ of the presence? Let’s discuss in the comments below.
