'And...Breathe' Oil

'And…Breathe' is an oil painting in which I wanted to create a pause — a moment of stillness. The image centres on an old, twisting tree, its dark trunk rising through mist and soft light, shaped by time. I am trying to create the sense of quiet strength, and to express how the tree feels both rooted and gently moving, breathing with the space around it.
I kept the surroundings deliberately minimal, allowing the light and atmosphere to dissolve into one another. Warm and cool tones are layered together, not to define every detail, but to suggest balance. The brushwork is built up slowly so the surface retains a sense of depth but with an inviting softness...huggable? :)
This painting isn’t about a specific place. It’s about slowing down, standing still for a moment, and letting the noise fall away. For me, it’s an invitation to breathe...as the tree does — to notice quiet endurance, and the calm presence of these huge beings.