If Wishes Were Horses 

Julie Bell created this painting, "If Wishes Were Horses," using traditional oil on canvas. Immediately, the composition draws us into a world where myth and reality blur, a space rendered with meticulous attention to the interplay of light and shadow. The juxtaposition of the ethereal winged horse and the poised figure invites a semiotic reading: The horse, traditionally a symbol of strength and freedom, gains another layer of complexity with its wings, suggesting transcendence. The woman, with her flowing gown and contemplative pose, may represent the human desire to connect with the fantastical. Bell's technique, particularly her use of sfumato, softens the edges and heightens the dreamlike quality of the scene. This not only engages with the historical lineage of classical painting but also subtly challenges the viewer to question the boundaries between the tangible and the imagined.