Ruffled, 2023 _{An Oil on Canvas, Portrait, Painting}

Painted in oil on a 40 x 50 cm stretched canvas, the portrait brings to life a moment of quiet strength. The subject’s vivid red lips, captivating eye, and loosely flowing blonde hair create an expressive, almost cinematic presence—made even more evocative by the pastel-toned, dreamlike background.

This figurative portrait leans into expressionism, with loose brushstrokes that suggest emotion more than precision. The bold femininity of the woman is both powerful and soft, inviting viewers to contemplate what she might be thinking, hiding, or revealing.

With a palette of mint, lilac, pale blue, and striking warm tones, the artwork is ideal for spaces that appreciate modern emotional storytelling. Glodina Gordon van Zyl, whose creative life spans art, music, engineering, and writing, once again brings her multidimensional insight into a single moment of visual intrigue. Ruffled is perfect for bedrooms, studios, dressing rooms, or any place where art meets emotion and identity.