Vinifera 2021

Mary Jane Ansell made this oil painting, Vinifera, with a smooth touch and a palette that feels both historical and immediate. It’s like she's having a conversation with the Old Masters but in her own contemporary language. Look closely at the way the light catches on the girl's face. It's built up with layers of subtle color, almost transparent in places, thicker in others, creating a gentle, soft glow. This isn't just about depicting a face; it's about capturing a feeling, a mood, a moment of stillness. It’s so quiet and restrained, and yet that tension is palpable. Ansell has a knack for making the familiar feel mysterious, inviting us to bring our own stories to the table. It reminds me a little of Paula Rego, in the way she uses a formal painting language to suggest something darker, more complex, beneath the surface. Art is like that, a constant back and forth, a remix of what's come before.