“Declined” (2023, Procreate)

This piece explores a limited color palette, using blue tones to create a cohesive and emotionally restrained atmosphere. The composition focuses on pose and gesture as primary storytelling elements, with the crossed hands forming both a visual and symbolic barrier.
The contrast between the character’s delicate appearance—flowing hair, soft features, and intricate jewelry—and her defensive posture introduces a tension between vulnerability and protection. The spiked bracelets reinforce this duality, suggesting that softness often requires visible defense.
The title Declined reflects the act of refusal and the assertion of personal boundaries. The piece addresses the way perceived fragility can lead to entitlement from others, and the necessity of resisting that expectation.
This idea is informed by the metaphor of the rose from The Little Prince, which is protected not only by its thorns but also by a glass cover. Similarly, the character embodies both internal and external forms of defense—emotional restraint as well as a more visible, confrontational barrier—highlighting the complexity of preserving personal autonomy.