This inspiring self-portrait by Crimean-born Australian contemporary realist painter Maria Radun skillfully displays her technical skills and emotional sensitivities to capture the essence of herself at work doing what she loves: painting. Wearing a black, collared long-sleeve shirt, she stands in muted studio holding a wooden painter's palette and multiple paintbrushes in her right hand which has a light-colored watch at the wrist. In her left hand, she pinches a single paint brush as if she is about to reach forward and paint the canvas (us). She is both relaxed and focused, unbothered by our intrusion, as she confidently depicts her subject -- herself -- fair-skinned with light-brown eyes, a straight nose, and a closed mouth. She has shoulder-length, straight, light-brown hair with hints of blonde highlighted by the lighting and shadows coming from the left of the canvas. Radun reside on the Mornington Peninsula of Australia where she roots her work in the tradition of tonal realism to explore a range of subjects, from evocative still life paintings to dynamic local landscapes that celebrate the natural world. She infuses her art with depth and intuition through nuanced brushwork that masterfully plays with light and shadow, creating striking realism and subtle narratives like we see in this self-portrait.

Self Portrait by Maria Radun (Australian) - Oil on linen / 2022 #womeninart #art #oilpainting #womanartist #selfportrait #AustralianArtist #artwork #MariaRadun #femaleartist #womensart #fineart #portraitofawoman #womenpaintingwomen #ContemporaryRealist #portrait #realism #artist #MorningtonPeninsula