Guilty Pleasures 80 × 60 cm

"Guilty Pleasures" is an artwork that embraces the richness and sensuality of color and texture. The title speaks to the indulgence in these elements – a delightful, perhaps even decadent, exploration of deep hues and tactile sensations that bring joy and a sense of luxurious escape.

My Creation Process

1. The Inspiration and Concept: The name "Guilty Pleasures" immediately conjures feelings of indulgence, richness, and perhaps a touch of forbidden delight. I wanted to translate this into a visual experience through a palette of deep, sensual colors and a rich surface. The artwork is a celebration of these elements, an invitation to immerse oneself in their sensory appeal.

2. The Palette: I chose a spectrum of deep, warm, and inviting colors.

   • The Deepest Hue: At the bottom left, I used a very deep, almost black, maroon. This provides a grounding, dramatic anchor for the composition and hints at depth and mystery.
   • Rich Terracottas and Burgundies: Moving upwards, I introduced bands of rich, dark red and a deep terracotta. These colors are warm, earthy, and evocative of ripened fruits or aged wine, contributing to the sense of indulgence.
   • Softer Rose and Blush Tones: Interspersed with the deeper hues are bands of a softer, muted rose and a pale, almost blush pink. These lighter shades provide a beautiful contrast, preventing the composition from becoming too heavy and adding a delicate, creamy sensuality.
   • Creamy Off-White: The uppermost section features a band of a creamy, off-white. This acts as a highlight and a visual relief, completing the gradient and adding a touch of brightness.

3. Building the Texture: The texture is paramount in "Guilty Pleasures." I employed a thick sculpting paste, allowing me to build substantial relief and create distinct textural variations within each color band.

   • Textural Contrast: For the deeper, richer colored bands (maroon, dark red, terracotta), I applied a more pronounced, linear texture. This was achieved by dragging a tool through the wet paste, creating fine, parallel grooves that catch the light and emphasize the richness of the color. This texture gives these areas a sense of grounded materiality and intense depth.
   • Smooth and Flowing Transitions: For the lighter bands (rose, blush, off-white), I adopted a smoother, more fluid application. The paste is shaped into gentle, undulating curves, with minimal linear texture. This creates a softer, more flowing transition between the colors and adds a creamy, almost melting quality to these sections. The smooth surfaces allow light to glide across them, enhancing their delicate hue.

4. The Composition: The composition is structured as a series of wavy, diagonal bands that flow across the canvas. This arrangement creates a sense of movement and dynamism, guiding the viewer's eye through the spectrum of colors and textures. The curves are organic and flowing, avoiding harsh lines and reinforcing the sensual, indulgent theme. The bands are layered, with the textures and colors transitioning seamlessly from one to the next.

My Artistic Intent

"Guilty Pleasures" is my expression of sensual indulgence through color and texture. I wanted to create an artwork that is both visually captivating and deeply tactile, inviting viewers to experience its richness. The combination of deep, luscious hues and varied textures – from the intensely grooved to the softly undulating – aims to evoke a feeling of luxurious pleasure. It is an exploration of how familiar colors, when rendered with a focus on materiality and form, can create an abstract yet deeply resonant emotional experience.

Size: 80 × 60 cm

Every piece is handcrafted and one of a kind

Heavy duty frames used for each art piece

Created by local artists in the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah