The Zen Lady

"The Zen Lady" is a heartfelt tribute to the spirit of womanhood. If we take the time to notice and make subtle observations, we may find that the ordinary people in our daily lives can profoundly influence the way we perceive life.
During my daily walks at Kowloon Park, I often encountered a dedicated woman sweeping the leaf-covered path, faithfully performing her duty or dharma with grace and commitment. Come scorching sun, pouring rain, or chilly winter air, she remained a constant presence, a symbol of resilience. Each time I greeted her with a cheerful "good morning," she would respond with a faint yet lively "Morning." I don’t know her name, but I refer to her as the Zen Lady because she truly personifies tranquillity and mindfulness in her everyday actions.
I’ve used many shades of brown in this piece—an unusual choice for me, as I typically find the colour challenging to work with. However, blending it with white, amber, and yellow created a soft, glowing effect that brought a surreal yet realistic warmth to the smiling face. This combination adds a unique luminosity that enhances the subject’s expression. For the background, I stayed true to my usual palette, mixing black, blue, and green. These tones provided the painting with a sense of depth and balance that complements the glowing foreground.