“Reflective Paddle” captures a quiet moment of introspection on the water. A lone paddler glides a small yellow kayak, the figure turned inward as oar and ripples trace a thoughtful arc across the river’s surface. The surrounding shoreline—lush greens, softly modeled trees, and a sky washed with clouds—barely encroach on the calm focus of the paddle, amplifying the sense of pause.

I approached the scene with loose, gestural brushwork to suggest movement without sacrificing stillness. The palette blends sunlit yellows and greens with cool blues and grays, echoing the interplay between light and reflection on the water. Thick, textured strokes on the bank contrast with smoother washes of color on the water, emphasizing the reflective surface as both mirror and window into inner thought.

Composition centers the kayak as a small, intentional gesture within a broad landscape, inviting the viewer to follow the ripples outward and back to the rider. The painting celebrates a moment of concentration and connection—with nature, with self, and with the quiet rhythm of a day on the river.