The Stone Of Life 2021

Terri Kelly Moyers made "The Stone of Life" in the 20th Century. The subject's hands hover just behind her head, preparing to arrange her hair, as if caught in a private moment of self-adornment, setting the scene. The orange ochre of her dress just vibrates against the ground of turquoise stones, a kind of complementary harmony. The paint is laid on with an almost glazed quality, particularly in the dress, where thin layers suggest depth, light, and shadow. Look at how the artist uses the texture of the dress to suggest both weight and movement. Each fold and pleat is carefully rendered, and yet, there's a looseness. It's not just about copying what's seen. She interprets the folds of the fabric with a kind of gestural sensitivity that brings them to life. I'm reminded of Frida Kahlo, in how she captured not just the physical appearance but the spirit and inner life of her subjects. Art is an ongoing conversation, a process of seeing, feeling, and interpreting the world, and it always leaves room for us to bring our own stories to the table.