Woman with her hand on her chest by Raquel Reis

Medium: Watercolor pencil

Dimensions: 29 x 42 cm

Year: 2023

Price: $500.00 USD

Status: available

I created “Woman with her hand on her chest” as a quiet moment of return, the instant when we pause, listen inward, and acknowledge what we are feeling before words can shape it. Her gesture is both protective and reassuring, as though she is reminding herself that beneath uncertainty, something steady remains. I chose expression over realism, allowing the face to hold several emotions at once. Her sideways gaze suggests a thought still unfolding, while the asymmetry of her features reflects the complexity of inner life. Blues and lilacs surround her with calm, but touches of red, yellow, and green bring warmth and tension to the surface. Using Caran D’Ach watercolor pencils, I layered and blended the marks so that light and shadow feel fluid, almost like emotions moving through the body. The visible lines preserve a sense of immediacy and vulnerability. I hope this work offers viewers permission to slow down and meet themselves with tenderness. I want her hand to feel like an invitation: breathe, notice, and trust the quiet knowledge held within your own heart.