"This painting is based on a recent trip to Holland. It depicts workers laying bricks in the traditional way they've done for centuries, juxtaposed against a modern advertisement for chocolate. The contrast between the old and the new is striking: the bricks are laid at angles, while the chocolate ad is full of flowing curves. I initially thought the chocolate ad would be the most challenging part, but surprisingly, it wasn’t. There’s also a strong color contrast between the warm tones of the bricks and the cooler hues of the chocolate.

The composition is framed by the open door on one side and the ad, which also suggests an opening, on the other. I only managed to capture one shot of the scene before the workers noticed us and started moving around, talking, or leaving. As a result, my initial photo was distorted, and I had to work out the edges to better represent what was actually there.

Arielle made a wise comment about the open door not closing properly, which prompted me to correct that detail. When I paint, I sometimes become so focused on the more difficult parts that I overlook other aspects. I assumed the door would be easy compared to the rest, but it ended up presenting its own challenge. I enjoy tackling these difficulties—painting things I’m not sure I can execute well. It usually works out, but I honestly thought I might not succeed with the bricks. I had to approach them from a different angle, using a different part of my brain. I’d already sketched in some of the darker areas for guidance, but it was still tough. Eventually, after several hours of painting, I reached a point where I realized I was getting there."

Size: 20x24 inches