Her eyes look straight at you; piercing and powerful, yet with something elusive. Mysterious and, at the same time, full of conviction. A gaze that you simply cannot shake off.

Measuring 120 x 160 cm, this is the largest piece I have created to date. It is precisely on this scale that her eyes were given the space they needed to define who she is. I spent a long time working on it. At one point, I even thought: perhaps I should stop and start again. I didn’t do that. I took parts apart, left the piece for days and looked at it anew. Different colours, different areas, constantly searching for the right balance.

Until her gaze finally took shape. Piercing, full of strength, yet with a touch of mystery. As if she knows something she won’t reveal.

Her long, sleek hair consists of strands that run straight down and back from her parting. There are no knots or loose sections, just long lines that follow the surface whilst simultaneously standing out from the image. This creates a strong three-dimensional effect and gives her hair an almost life-like movement of its own.

For me, the choice of frame is never a matter of chance. In other works, I often use colour to give it an active role, as an extension of the image. Within the series Strings Attached I consciously choose tranquillity. A light, blank wooden frame that adds nothing but leaves space. This keeps the focus entirely on the energy of the work and the balance is right.