"Held In Light" - Female Portrait (2026) Original Acrylic Painting by Helena Wierzbicki

Held in Light emerged from my interest in creating a female portrait where the face remains the emotional focus, while the surrounding space becomes quieter and more abstract. I was inspired by the idea of holding a moment of softness and presence within a composition reduced to a few essential shapes.

I kept the facial features clear and expressive, then contrasted them with simple planes and circular forms around the figure. The soft palette creates a gentle atmosphere, while the unexpected arrangement of shapes gives the portrait a contemporary character.

What makes this painting special to me is the balance between the recognizable presence of the woman and the freedom of the abstract elements surrounding her. I wanted the simplicity of the composition to give the portrait space to breathe, while the subtle contrasts of color keep it visually alive.

Materials used:

Acrylic on canvas

Details:

• Acrylic painting on Other
• One of a kind artwork
• Size: 52.32 x 52.32 x 3.05cm (unframed)
• Signed on the front
• Style: Expressive and gestural
• Subject: People and portraits