Silent Symphony

I'm back from the 2012 Salon International and this was my first year to win nothing. I'm encouraged by the calibre of work there, however, and the overall commitment to excellence that I saw. My heart just soars when it settles on the knowledge that representational art is not lost to the ages but is enjoying such a resurgence.
Well, back to the present here at Scarlet Sage Gallery: Silent Symphony! This is a 24x18 inch painting. The title is supposed to summarize the idea that, while there are swirling, active, noisy things going on in the shapes and colors and patterns around her body and in her mind, yet the woman lies quietly; silent outside of herself, but within her mind there is music, dialogue, intrigue, excitement!
I approached the painting in the same way: layering the quiet passages so that they would culminate in activity that at once excites and relaxes, if that makes sense. I don't know if everyone hears a story that they read silently, but I do. When I'm alone and reading, if I suddenly respond out loud, my own noise startles me with the realization that it is actually silent everywhere but in my mind.
Well, thank you for coming back!