It Is Not What It Seems began with chaos.

The earliest layers of this 36 x 36 inch painting were bold, saturated, and unruly — vibrant color applied with instinct and energy. That wild underpainting remains embedded beneath the surface, though it is no longer fully visible. What the viewer encounters instead is a softened composition of coastal creams, muted blush, and airy blue — calm, structured, composed.

But beneath that quiet exterior, intensity remains.

Built through multiple layers of acrylic and mixed media, the painting mirrors the human experience: what is presented outwardly is not always an accurate reflection of what exists underneath. The surface suggests stillness and restraint, while concealed layers hold movement, color, and complexity.

Scraped passages and subtle linear marks allow fragments of the original underpainting to emerge — hints of what once dominated the canvas. These glimpses serve as a reminder that depth is often hidden beneath composure, and that what appears serene may carry a far richer internal narrative.

The square format reinforces balance and control, while the layered process speaks to vulnerability, memory, and emotional duality.

This work reflects Kristen Simpson’s ongoing exploration of contrast — between surface and depth, calm and intensity, appearance and truth. Simpson studied at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, where she refined her layered mixed media approach and abstract language.

The painting is original, one-of-a-kind, and ready to hang.