Ritardando

Ritardando, 2026, Oil on Canvas, 40x40​ This Piece alludes to an Italian musical term meaning to gradually decrease the tempo or slow down the speed of the music. The blurring background compliments the Idea of slowing down life as you can only focus on what is in front of you. There's eight-billion people on our planet, each person has ten-fold that in their own personal problems. During this time I felt overburdened with my school, life, family, and I couldn't seem to catch up with everything. Often when people go through similar experiences the burden of time is places upon them. This painting shows that it is only when you focus on that which you can control and deviate from that you cannot, that your life will clear up; flowing in a path that feels more tangible like the beautiful notes of music. Creating the scene of blurred lights took many layers of color to show their vibrance without them mixing. I used circular brush strokes and oddly placed highlights to show blur. At the end I took a small brush and added music notes flowing toward the future. Each brush stroke—carefully placed, took great concentration and attention to detail.​