negative
space
her portrait
defines all else
pushes aside a background
of rich oils
— the painter's
basic palette
burnt
umber
crimson
cadmium
yellow
ultramarine
her face
frames flowers
frames drapery
frames
frame
frames life
frames
me
and I cannot
help but wonder
what would happen if
the colours
oozed
into her absence
edges melded and blurred
running toward the immense yearning
of negative
space
-- Adrian
Hoad-Reddick