'Quiet Strength' (original Birch Study) - 11 x14

 
Birch trees have always been my way of painting resilience — strength that doesn’t need to shout.
 
This contemporary birch is a quieter interpretation of that same theme. Instead of thick palette-knife ridges, the texture here is built through layered marks, scraping, and softened edges, allowing the history of the painting to show through in a more subtle way.
 
The vertical rhythm remains — steady, grounded, and imperfect — echoing the spirit of my more heavily textured birch paintings while offering a calmer, more contemplative presence
.
I think of this piece as a gentle shift rather than a departure. A reminder that growth doesn’t always mean more. Sometimes it means less pressure, fewer words, and space to breathe.
 
This original brings warmth, quiet strength, and a sense of calm to any space — especially for those who appreciate art that reveals itself slowly.
 
(Studies offer a more intimate glimpse into my process — quieter, layered works that reflect exploration and gentle evolution.)