Color over noise (2026) Original Watercolour by Anna Shabalova

Have you ever noticed how we start to feel a bit like robots? Coffee on the go, traffic lights, endless deadlines, and non-stop notifications… We get so caught up in the "have-to's" that we completely forget how to simply feel in color.
​Look at this piece. When I look into those eyes, I feel a strange mix of envy and peace. This cockatoo has no to-do list, no emails to answer, and no inbox to clear, yet its gaze is filled with such absolute self-assurance. It’s as if it’s asking me: "Hey, did you actually breathe today? Or were you just running on autopilot?"
​This painting has become my personal "emergency brake" for city chaos. It’s a vivid reminder that beyond these concrete walls, there is a world of breathtaking color and a sense of calm that you can’t download from an app.
​We’re conditioned to believe that success equals speed. But looking at this bold, unapologetic stillness, I’m starting to think: maybe true success is being able to keep your own "tropics" alive, even when the world around you is nothing but grey concrete. 🌿🦜
​I could really use some of this "tropical vibe" right now. What’s your go-to way to stay grounded when the noise gets too loud?

Materials used:

Watercolor and ink

Details:

• Watercolour on Paper
• One of a kind artwork
• Size: 30 x 40 x 0.1cm (unframed) / 30 x 40cm (actual image size)
• Signed certificate of authenticity
• Style: Graphic, illustrative and typographic
• Subject: Animals and birds