Anna 2022

Nick Alm made this watercolour painting, "Anna", with washes of gentle earth tones and luminous greys. It’s all about the process of layering transparent colours on paper, like a dance between control and letting go. Look at how the light filters through the tree branches, creating this incredible sense of depth and atmosphere. The texture of the tree bark feels almost tangible, doesn’t it? Then there's Anna's profile, softened by the diffuse light; so subtle. Notice the way Alm uses shadows to define her features, that single stroke that creates the form of her nose. There's so much tenderness in how he captures her stillness. Alm's work reminds me a little of early Lucien Freud, in the way he finds beauty in the ordinary and imbues it with such quiet intensity. It shows that art isn't about perfection; it's about capturing a feeling, a moment, a shared human experience.