“Blagaj: A Cliffside Wonderment” (2018) by Sherri Huang

Oil on canvas. 18x24 inches. Sold. Blagaj tekija in Bosnia is a sacred architectural wonder that sits in a gorgeous corner of the world. Bosnia is a significant place to a good friend of mine from school who wasn’t old enough to remember his paternal grandparents from this region. When my friend came to me with options of what he would like me to paint, Blagaj immediately captivated me — just look at that view. I also chose Blagaj because it looked like a challenge that would help me grow as an artist. It would be the biggest canvas size I’d work with in the few years I had been making oil paintings, require new techniques I would have to teach myself, and incorporate elements from two completely different photo references. It was an ambitious project, for sure. It didn’t help that I had been traveling and working another full-time job contract at the time, making it difficult to find my focus, space, and creative energy to get started on the painting. At last, it is complete and I am so grateful for my journey with it. It was such an honor to create this piece.