Self-Acceptance 

Tania Rivilis created this oil painting, Self-Acceptance, capturing a figure in a moment of profound introspection. Notice the figure's embrace of their own arm, but the arm is painted blue and the hand, red. These colors are powerful symbols with layers of meaning rooted in cultural memory. Throughout history, blue has often been associated with divinity, the heavens, and the spiritual realm, but also sadness. Red, on the other hand, evokes passion, vitality, and even danger. In a twist, here we find an inversion of the traditional associations: a blue arm is gently embraced by a fiery red hand. This could recall the alchemical union of opposing forces, where the reconciliation of contradictions leads to wholeness. The way the red hand lovingly embraces the blue arm and hand shows an introspective journey, which speaks to our collective psyche. It suggests an acceptance of both the passionate and the spiritual. In different historical contexts, such as in various religious iconographies, hands are symbols of blessing, protection, and guidance. The red hand here seems to suggest the subject embracing themselves, offering solace and nurturing themselves. The emotional and psychological depth of the image resides in its ability to engage viewers on a subconscious level, through color and gesture. This union of color evolves and resurfaces, inviting reflection on the ongoing cycle of self-discovery.