ExpectationofSubmission Barbara Norfleet

The composition presents a dense thicket of tall grasses and reeds dominating the visual field. The palette is largely muted, with earthy tones of ochre, brown, and beige prevailing, creating a sense of enclosure and perhaps even suffocation. A single, intense crimson circle punctuates the background, acting as a focal point that draws the eye despite its relative smallness within the overall scene.
Numerous insects populate this environment. Dragonflies, moths, beetles, and flies are rendered with meticulous detail, their forms intricately interwoven with the vegetation. Their presence suggests themes of transformation, decay, and the cyclical nature of life. The sheer number of insects also contributes to a feeling of overwhelming abundance or even infestation.
The artist’s rendering style emphasizes realism, yet there is an unsettling quality to the scene. The light appears diffused and somewhat unnatural, contributing to a dreamlike atmosphere. The close cropping of the view eliminates any sense of horizon or broader context, intensifying the focus on this immediate, teeming microcosm.
Subtly, the work evokes feelings of vulnerability and observation. One might interpret the insects as representing unseen forces or anxieties that lurk beneath the surface of everyday experience. The crimson circle could symbolize a point of danger, desire, or perhaps an inescapable fate. The overall effect is one of quiet tension – a sense of something about to happen within this carefully observed, yet deeply unsettling world.