Wisps of Steam: Homage to Chardin's A Lady Taking Tea

This body of work is rooted in a personal response to natural elements and the emotions they evoke. Inspired initially by Chardin's 'A Lady Taking Tea', the quiet contemplation within this domestic scene became a catalyst for exploring the interplay between stillness and sensation. The ephemeral quality of light and steam in the painting resonated deeply, guiding the development of a visual language that reflects the stark, windswept terrain surrounding the artist’s home. Through non-illustrative, pixelated facets of colour, the work investigates subtle shifts in texture and hue as a way to evoke sensory memories of place—mist, clouds, and the tactile experience of the land. The act of wrapping yarn became a meditative process, offering a new way to engage with Chardin's painting and the natural landscape alike. Though the yarn colours do not directly replicate those in the original artwork, they serve as interpretive tools that deepen the artist’s understanding of form, atmosphere, and personal emotional response. This project marks a re-evaluation of artistic practice, focusing on abstraction, material sensitivity, and the poetic resonance of place.