A love story
There are pieces of ourselves that we don’t always share. We hold parts of our journey close but are unsure if we can reveal them to the world. This painting—“Delivered,” featuring a woman standing beside a horse beneath a bold sky—was one of those works for me.
When I created the collection in 2023, which included the painting “Delivered,” I told myself it was my least favorite. I even said it out loud, convincing myself I wasn’t connected to her. But as I reflect on that moment, I realize I was hiding something deeper within myself.
I loved her—and this painting—from the very beginning. But that love felt too vulnerable, too exposed. So, I distanced myself from her, leaving her unseen in my studio until my solo exhibition last December.
The story behind this painting is pretty much personal. The work's narrative was inspired by a memory of a Marwari horse I encountered during a camping trip in India. Marwari horses are unique—elegant and resilient, with ears that curl toward each other as if whispering secrets. That horse was stunning—black and white with the bluest eyes I‘ve ever seen. Indeed, I’ve never seen a horse with blue eyes before. It was standing in the back of his stall, looking with doubt.
That horse reminded me of the quiet strength I’ve seen in women everywhere—women navigating unfamiliar landscapes, balancing courage and vulnerability. I’ve sought to capture this strength in my art.
Creating Delivered was a transformative experience for me. It marked a new chapter in my life, filled with unfamiliar environments and emotional turbulence. I felt torn between embracing the present and holding on to the past, between the excitement of new stories and the ache of homesickness.
The woman in this painting stands firmly, embodying that balance. She is bold and grounded, and her presence reminds us of the stability we seek in life’s constant motion.
My love for her grows stronger as I see her in my studio. She speaks to me about resilience, about the delicate dance of holding on while moving forward.
I’m sharing her with you now because some stories are too important to keep hidden. Perhaps she will speak to you and remind you of your quiet strength and journey of gracefully embracing life’s transitions.
With love,
Ana