Emerald Eyes 

Julie Bell's painting, "Emerald Eyes," presents a tiger's face amidst dense foliage. The square format concentrates our attention on the animal’s gaze, framed by leaves in shades of gold and green. Bell’s precise realism is striking, yet it's the painting's composition that truly intrigues. The tiger's face, partially obscured by leaves, emerges from the background as if we are intruding upon its hidden lair. This careful arrangement destabilizes the traditional figure-ground relationship, inviting a deeper consideration of camouflage and visibility. The foliage, rendered with sharp detail, isn’t merely a backdrop but an active component in the tiger's survival. In this interplay between concealment and exposure, Bell raises questions about our perception and interaction with the natural world. The work, through its formal qualities, becomes a meditation on presence and absence, drawing us into a visual game of hide and seek.