Moonstruck 

Michael Parkes painted ‘Moonstruck’ using oil paints, a medium that has been a cornerstone of Western art for centuries. The slow drying time of oils allows for meticulous blending, visible here in the ethereal gradations of the moonlit sky. The artist's hand is evident in the smooth, almost porcelain-like finish of the figure, achieved through layers of glazing and careful brushwork. The application of the paint results in a luminous quality that captures the otherworldly atmosphere of the scene. There's also a lot of labor involved in the production of traditional oil paintings, from preparing the canvas to mixing pigments. Parkes' technical skill, combined with the symbolic imagery, transports us to a dreamlike realm where myth and reality intertwine. It's a painting that invites us to contemplate the mysteries of the cosmos and the power of artistic imagination.