Ana Cherkezishvili

West Village Afternoon was painted on-site at Abingdon Square Garden during a warm spring day. I was drawn to the way color and life filled the small park. I noticed the bright tulips and tall trees and how people interacted with their environment. I was especially struck by the two figures having a conversation on the bench, as they seemed totally absorbed in each other, almost like the world around them had faded. That moment felt worth holding onto, so I decided to include them in my composition. I started sketching them right away, trying to catch the posture, the energy, and the way that the garden felt like an enclosure around them, with the trees towering above and flowers almost wrapping around their space.