Beneath the Surface

Beneath the Surface came from curiosity.

I was at home in the UK, in one of those more experimental phases where I wasn't starting with a completely fixed idea of what the finished painting should look like. I wanted to create a fluid, bold background and then build texture over it to see what would happen.

I was particularly drawn to the combination of deep blue and gold. The blue had something almost mesmerising about it, while the gold brought a completely different energy to the surface. As I worked, I kept thinking about space, galaxies, nature and that sense of mystery you get from looking at something that feels much bigger than yourself.

The painting developed through movement and layers rather than a strict plan. One of the things that surprised me was how beautiful the quieter blue background became once the raised gold elements were built over it. The contrast gave the surface a sense of movement without needing to fill every part of it with colour.

I still have this painting in my bedroom, so I see it every day. And perhaps because of that, I notice something slightly different about it depending on the light or my mood. More than anything, it gives me a feeling of calm.

For me, Beneath the Surface sits somewhere between nature, space and imagination. It doesn't need to be one particular thing — I like leaving enough room for the viewer to find their own interpretation.

I hope it gives you that same combination of calm and intrigue — something peaceful to live with, but interesting enough to make you stop and look a little closer.

Dimensions: 60 × 60 × 5 cm
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Signed: By Hoza