A Winter Window 2004

Here is a small intimate scene, A Winter Window, made by Tetyana Yablonska with pastel. It's like looking into a world caught between waking and dreaming. I'm really drawn to how Yablonska uses these delicate, almost hesitant lines to build up the image. I can imagine her hand moving across the paper, feeling the give of the pastel, maybe trying to catch a fleeting moment. Look at the way the bare branches reach up, drawn in pale blue and charcoal; they feel both fragile and resilient. And then there are those oranges in the foreground, little pops of warmth against the cool palette. It reminds me of other painters like Agnes Martin, who use a soft touch to create a space for contemplation. Painting can be a conversation with yourself, or even the outside world. It's about paying attention. Each gesture builds on the last, guiding our gaze and inviting us to feel something.