Debi’s Candy 

Julie Bell's 'Debi's Candy' is a masterclass in contemporary figurative painting. The work captivates with its central composition, where the woman and horse almost merge, united through a careful selection of brown hues. The texture is remarkable, Bell’s technique brings out the sheen of the horse's coat and the soft fabric of the woman’s shirt. This contrast highlights the painting's core tension between the natural world and the human form. The composition creates an intimate relationship between the figures, challenging traditional portraiture. The light catches the woman’s hair and the horse’s flank, accentuating their bond. Bell explores the boundaries of realism and romanticism. The semiotic system, based on the interplay between the two figures, can be interpreted as a sign of the complex human relationship with the natural world. This painting, while aesthetically pleasing, poses questions about the nature of identity, representation, and our connection to the animal kingdom.