Wednesday 30th July 

Back in the studio and it’s time to get this piece finished. Doug and I had a phone call while I was working—one of those useful, in-the-moment conversations where decisions start to crystallise. We talked through what felt missing and agreed the piece needed a pop of colour, something sharp to break up the darker tones. A slice of contrast, almost like a visual interruption. 

We also spent time discussing the frame. Doug’s drawn to the rough one I mocked up using two cut-outs—both with a printed line and page numbers. There’s something about the way they sit that creates a subtle disconnect, and he likes that tension. 

For the next couple of hours, I hunted through my materials for strong coloured papers and fragments that could act as that slice. Eventually, I settled on a bright pink piece and tried it in different positions across the composition. It lifted the whole thing, gave it a pulse. 

I also played with a slightly different layout, using another part of the face. Personally, I prefer this version—it feels more resolved—but Doug’s still leaning toward the original. I sent both options through, each with the pink slice added, and asked him to sit with them over the weekend and let me know what lands. 

It’s that stage where the work is almost there, but still open. I’m holding back from gluing anything down. There’s still room to shift.