Leaning In by John Gerstner – Acrylic and texture on canvas, 16×20, framed

Leaning presents a thoughtful balance of representation and abstraction. The simple act of leaning forward is laced with ambiguity. Is the figure bowing down in defeat, or dancing in victory? Perhaps the arm reaching skyward symbolizes a spiritual connection. The textured background, with its nuanced blues and scrapings of white, hints at the complexity of emotions and experiences that surround the human journey. The painting encourages a contemplative exploration of the self, emphasizing the beauty found in the delicate dance between the concrete and the abstract aspects of our existence.