Life Lived

“Life Lived” is a stunning oil and cold wax painting that explodes with vibrant energy and emotion. This contemporary abstract piece by South African artist Leonie Brown is a visual feast of colours and textures, embodying a fully embraced life’s raw essence.

The painting features a dynamic interplay of bold hues—from passionate reds and pinks to serene blues and energetic yellows. Thick impasto layers and expressive brushstrokes create a tactile, three-dimensional quality that invites viewers to explore the canvas deeply. The composition suggests a landscape of experiences, with each colour representing different emotional states and life events.

This artwork powerfully relates to Leonie Brown’s artist statement, serving as a testament to her journey of resilience and transformation. The vibrant colours and bold strokes reflect her emergence from the shadows of complex PTSD and abuse, while the layered textures symbolise the depth of her experiences. “Life Lived” represents shattering invisible barriers and embracing life’s full spectrum of emotions.

Brown paints for those who have felt trapped behind invisible walls, unable to fully experience life’s touch. Her art screams that it’s possible to break free from these constraints, to taste life’s flavours and feel its textures without reservation. Through her intuitive and physical process—a dance of gestures with large brushes, palette knives, and mixed media—she creates works that speak directly to the soul, inviting viewers to embrace life’s abundance and find joy in every brushstroke.

“Life Lived” is more than just a painting; it’s a movement from darkness to light, a choice to be shaped not by past traumas but by future potential. It stands as an invitation to join Brown in a vibrant celebration of resilience, forgiveness, and the unbridled joy of existence.

Importantly, “Life Lived” was created as a companion piece to “Life Untamed.” These two paintings form a powerful set, offering collectors the unique opportunity to acquire a cohesive pair of works that dialogue with each other, enhancing the impact and narrative of both pieces.