The Fedora’s Silent Bloom is a piece I’ve been excited to share. Measuring 12 by 12, 16 by 16, and 20 by 20 inches, this digital oil painting centers around a crushed velvet fedora with a broad brim, set against a deep, textured red background. The hat’s surface has a subtle sheen, with carefully placed highlights and shadows that give it a strong sense of form and presence. What draws immediate attention is the vivid yellow-orange gold leaf pinned at the front, its delicate blue veins adding a striking contrast and quiet energy to the composition.

My inspiration came from a simple but specific experience—the tactile richness of crushed velvet. I wanted to capture that unique texture and the way it interacts with light, which you can see woven into the background and even suggestively in the hat itself. This texture adds a tactile dimension that invites closer observation, connecting the viewer not just visually but almost physically to the piece.

Creating The Fedora’s Silent Bloom involved focusing on the subtle interplay between form and surface. The hat isn’t just an object here; it becomes a symbol of quiet strength and elegance, while the gold leaf introduces a moment of delicate vitality. The composition is balanced but dramatic, inviting you to linger on the contrasts and details.

With my signature and the year tucked unobtrusively in the lower right corner, this piece feels like a quiet conversation—inviting contemplation without overwhelming the senses. It’s a new direction for me, where texture and color come together to create a mood both polished and intimate. I’m grateful to share this moment with you through my work.

See you next Saturday. 

J.Legay~