"The Pause Between Breaths" - Original Oil Painting

The Pause Between Breaths is an intimate oil painting by Ivy Bath that captures a rare moment of internal harmony. The subject—eyes closed and lips gently parted—radiates quiet strength, feminine grace, and emotional presence. Her skin is bathed in warm ochres and muted reds, contrasted by expressive dark curls that frame the composition like velvet shadows. A delicate nose ring glints in the soft light, anchoring her in the modern world while her stillness suggests something timeless and universal. Measuring 11 x 14 inches, this piece was painted with slow, intentional layering using oil on canvas board. Ivy’s use of emotional realism invites the viewer to step into the subject’s world—to pause, breathe, and connect with the quiet power that lives beneath the surface. Whether hung in a reading nook, creative space, or private retreat, this work emanates a presence that is simultaneously calming and commanding.

In The Pause Between Breaths, Ivy Bath invites the viewer to witness a moment that transcends language. The closed eyes of the subject do not exclude the world—they draw us in. Framed by the dark cascade of hair and lit by soft, golden tones, her face becomes a landscape of inner truth. The upward angle evokes reverence, almost spiritual in nature, and yet grounded in contemporary identity through the subtle gleam of her nose ring.

This painting isn't just portraiture—it is emotional cartography. It maps the terrain between vulnerability and power, between beauty and being. Ivy’s refined brushwork and masterful color harmony render this moment not just seen, but deeply felt.

In your process notes, you mentioned exploring closed eyes and “keeping it clean.” That clarity is felt deeply here. By stripping away extraneous elements, you direct all focus inward—to emotion, to breath, to presence. The act of closing one’s eyes becomes a declaration of peace. The nose ring, subtle but intentional, serves as a quiet emblem of personal choice and identity.

You also noted this piece is one of your favorites—and it's easy to see why. There’s an honesty in it. A brave softness.