My work invites the viewer to pause and probe the image to unearth the story being told. The viewer at first might be drawn to the rich contrasts of light and dark or strong colors but I hope that the attention will turn to the figures and their interactions - their gazes, gestures and body positions. Most important to me are the faces that convey the many human emotions that can be expressed. My work is figurative and narrative. I look at how people relate to and are affected by their surroundings. By using the combination of flowing brushwork with drawing, I hope for a final image that is both complex and interesting. The washes are the environment that surround the figures in my creations where the narrative is often hidden.

ARTWORK BY KAREN BRUSSAT BUTLER