Calm Amongst the Storm 

Sarah Joncas created "Calm Amongst the Storm," presenting us with a striking image of a woman amidst a scene of implied chaos, using oil on canvas. The cool blues and greens, contrasted with the warmth of the woman's skin, create a visually arresting composition. The tentacles framing the city buildings evoke a sense of unease, while the woman's placid expression suggests a detachment from the surrounding turmoil. Joncas uses the interplay between figure and ground to create tension. The woman, rendered with smooth, almost hyperreal skin, becomes a focal point, set against the stylized, graphic quality of the waves and city. The octopus tentacles, those looming shapes, might symbolize subconscious turmoil or external threats. Joncas destabilizes the traditional dichotomy between passivity and aggression. The painting ultimately invites us to consider the nature of internal strength and the ability to find peace amidst the storm.