Red in the Country

This figure arrived carrying a basket and surrounded by warmth. Painted primarily in reds, oranges, and yellows, she has an unmistakable presence that feels both familiar and slightly mysterious.

She isn't wearing a cloak, and I never intended her to be naïve. Still, there is something about her, the basket, the red, the suggestion of a journey, that recalls Little Red Riding Hood. The title, Red in the Country, became a subtle nod to that familiar childhood character without placing this figure inside the story.

Instead, she exists somewhere outside the fairy tale.

The association is enough to bring its own baggage. Little Red Riding Hood is often understood as innocent, vulnerable, wandering into danger. But this figure isn't necessarily any of those things. She may know exactly where she's going. She may be carrying something important. The narrative remains open.

Her hair is an explosion of contrast against the warmth of the composition, creating visual energy and pulling the eye across the painting. It disrupts the palette just enough to keep the image from becoming too settled or predictable.

Like many of my figures, Red in the Country begins with a recognizable character and then leaves room for interpretation. The visual references suggest a story, but they don't tell us exactly what that story is.

Maybe she's heading somewhere.

Maybe she's coming back.