10 Breaths of Motion

10 Breaths of Motion

Introduction – Stillness in Motion

10 Breaths of Motion is the latest evolution in a visual journey that began with the Vortex and Flow series. Each body of work explores the paradox of movement within stillness, how static forms can evoke dynamic energy, gravitational tension, and the quiet pull of unseen currents. This piece, like its predecessors, is an acrylic pour layered with hand-drawn spheres, what I call “breaths of motion”, that hover, balance, or drift across the surface like sentient particles caught in a moment of transformation.

Though the canvas is fixed, the energy within it is not. The viewer is invited into a space where motion is implied, where the eye follows the path of each breath as if it were a living entity responding to invisible forces. The result is a mesmerising interplay between chaos and control, spontaneity and precision, nature and abstraction.

Origins – Vortex and Flow
The Vortex 1-2-3 series was born from a fascination with gravitational pull, the way objects are drawn toward a centre, sometimes willingly, sometimes helplessly. In these works, the breaths of motion are either teetering on the edge of collapse or already spiralling inward, caught in the irresistible force of a central vortex. They embody tension, anticipation, and surrender.

At the same time, Vortex also explores balance. Here, the orbs are poised delicately on edges, as if testing the limits of equilibrium. They resist gravity, or perhaps play with it, creating a visual metaphor for the fragile balance we all navigate, between action and stillness, control and release.
This gravitational theme is not just physical, it’s emotional and psychological. The vortex becomes a symbol of inner pull, inevitability, and transformation. The edge becomes a metaphor for decision, risk, or restraint. Each breath of motion is a moment suspended in time, teetering between forces.

With Flow 1-2-3, the narrative shifted toward nature. The breaths of motion began to follow wavy lines, as if guided by an undercurrent beneath the surface. These works evoke rivers, winds, and organic rhythms, forces that shape the world invisibly but powerfully.
In Flow, the spheres are no longer resisting or surrendering to gravity, they are part of a larger system, moving in harmony with unseen energies. The compositions suggest a kind of choreography, a dance of particles responding to the pulse of the earth. This series marked a turning point in my practice, where abstraction met ecology, and the breaths of motion became emissaries of natural flow.

Both series are deeply rooted in the physics of motion, yet they also speak to emotional and psychological states. The vortex becomes a symbol of inner turmoil or transformation, the edge, a metaphor for choice and vulnerability.

Evolution – Flow and the Language of Nature
With Flow 1-2-3, the narrative shifted toward nature. The breaths of motion began to follow undulating paths, as if guided by currents beneath the surface. These works evoke rivers, winds, and organic rhythms, forces that shape the world invisibly but powerfully.

The Present Work – 10 Breaths of Motion
10 Breaths of Motion synthesises these earlier explorations into a single, cohesive statement. The title itself is both literal and poetic, ten distinct orbs, each a breath captured mid-motion, suspended in a moment of transition. They are lenses, magnifying the marbled undercurrents of the acrylic pour beneath them. They distort, reflect, and amplify the background, creating a layered experience of depth and movement.

The background is a fluid tapestry of yellow, green, blue, pink, and white, colours that swirl and merge like sediment in water or clouds in sky. This marbled effect is not random, it is the result of controlled chaos, a technique that allows paint to flow freely while still being guided by intention. The breaths of motion are then drawn atop this surface, anchoring the composition and adding dimensionality.

Each breath is unique. Some appear to hover, others seem to be drifting, and a few are caught in the act of transformation, stretching, warping, or dissolving. They are not merely decorative, they are the protagonists of the piece, each telling a story of motion, tension, and release.

Technique and Materiality
The work is created on an canvas board (35.5cm x 25.2cm), a modest scale that invites intimacy. The acrylic pour technique is central to my practice, it allows for spontaneity, unpredictability, and organic texture. Once the pour is complete and cured, I begin the meticulous process of drawing the breaths of motion. This contrast between fluidity and precision is essential to the work’s impact.

The spheres are rendered with attention to light, shadow, and distortion. They are not flat circles, they are dimensional forms that interact with the background, creating the illusion of depth and magnification. This interplay between realism and abstraction is what gives the piece its hypnotic quality.

Conceptual Framework – Breath, Motion, and Mesmerism
Why “breaths of motion”? The term emerged as a way to describe these forms without reducing them to mere bubbles. A breath is ephemeral, vital, and rhythmic. It suggests life, movement, and presence. By calling them breaths of motion, I imbue them with agency, they are not passive shapes but active participants in the visual narrative.

The mesmerising quality of the work is intentional. I want the viewer to linger, to follow the paths of the breaths, to feel drawn into the vortex or carried by the flow. Though the canvas is static, the experience is not. The eye moves, the mind wanders, and the body responds. This is the paradox I strive for, stillness that moves.

Emotional Resonance and Viewer Experience
Viewers often describe feeling calm, curious, or contemplative when engaging with my work. Some see galaxies, others see cells, and a few see emotional landscapes, grief, joy, tension, release. I welcome all interpretations. The work is not didactic, it is open, fluid, and responsive.

10 Breaths of Motion is designed to be immersive. The scale allows for close viewing, where details emerge slowly. The colours invite emotional response, and the breaths of motion guide the eye through a journey of discovery. It is a piece that rewards attention, that deepens with time.

Conclusion – Toward a Living Abstraction
This work is part of an ongoing inquiry into how abstraction can evoke life, motion, and emotion. It is a continuation of a visual language I have been developing, one that blends physics, nature, and psychology into a single aesthetic experience.

10 Breaths of Motion is not an endpoint, it is a breath in a larger rhythm. It speaks to the invisible forces that shape us, the balance we seek, and the flow we surrender to. It is a meditation on movement, a celebration of stillness, and an invitation to see the world as a dance of breaths, each one unique, each one in motion.

Commission a Custom Art Piece
You can commission a bespoke mixed media artwork in your choice of colour (subject to availability), adding a personal touch that reflects your unique story and experiences. Each piece is thoughtfully crafted, ensuring that no two are ever the same, just like the moments they capture. This process fosters a meaningful connection between artist and patron, celebrating the individuality of each person’s journey through time.
Commissions Form
The more detail you provide, the better we can tailor the piece to your vision. Commissions typically take between 2 to 6 weeks to complete.
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Please note, colours may vary from monitor to monitor.

Check out my other works here at https://lyn-5818.canvy.art/