"When the World Softens" (2026)Acrylic painting by Ksenia Kozhakhanova

This painting grew from a quiet moment — a state of being rather than a narrative. I was interested in the feeling of the body at rest, when movement softens and attention turns inward. The figure appears almost emerging from the colour, not separated from the space but held within it.

The lines remain open and searching, allowing the painting to keep its sense of becoming. I did not aim for precision; instead, I followed gesture and sensation, letting the form develop naturally through layers of warm and muted tones. The surface carries traces of hesitation and decision, preserving the rhythm of the process.

For me, this work is about acceptance — a calm coexistence with one’s own presence and physicality. The face is intentionally softened, leaving space for the viewer’s own emotions and interpretations.

The painting exists somewhere between drawing and painting, structure and dissolution, strength and vulnerability.

Please note that colours may vary slightly depending on individual monitor or screen settings.

Materials used:

acrylic paints

Details:

• Acrylic painting on Canvas
• One of a kind artwork
• Size: 60 x 80 x 2cm (unframed)
• Signed on the back
• Style: Impressionistic
• Subject: People and portraits

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