This work takes it cue from the exhibition theme by looking inward, rather than outward. This is made evident in the wistful expression captured in the subject’s eyes and her Mona Lisa smile. Here, the narrative suggests the benefits of mindfulness and contemplation, of slowing down in the face of all the pressures brought to bear on us, from the super-paced world in which we live.

The composition is pleasingly resolved through the use of several contrasts. That of large scale, simple shapes and the joyful patterns which dance across the surface of them; the use of considered colour harmonies – the cool turquoise vs the warm pinks – which contribute to a satisfying pictorial balance; the effectively rendered 3D elements (face, hand and cup) which are offset by the flattened shapes of the subject’s jacket and the halo-like disc behind her; and finally the contrast between the dark tone of the background and hair against the lighter, more intense colours of the rest of the painting.

By effectively depicting a mood and a moment, the artist begs us to consider the benefits found in gratitude and the nourishment that this practice provides for our emotional wellbeing.