Stan – Turning Away, 2025
The figure in this piece is turned slightly away from the viewer, their hand resting thoughtfully on their shoulder. The subtle yellows and greens blend seamlessly with the figure’s contours, evoking introspection and vulnerability. The composition emphasizes soft lines and muted shades, creating a peaceful and introspective mood.
Stan – Rest and Erection, 2025
This piece shows Stan in a relaxed seated position, holding their erect, cut penis . The vibrant use of reds juxtaposed against softer earth tones provides an emotional charge, emphasizing the tension between vulnerability and self-assuredness. The watercolor strokes are both deliberate and flowing, adding to the tactile quality of the work.
Stan – In The Bath, 2025
In this work, the model is reclined, gazing directly at the viewer with a composed yet enigmatic expression. The sweeping strokes of green and red across the torso bring warmth and life to the form. The background’s simplicity directs full attention to the model, balancing the serene pose with emotional intensity.
Summary of the Series
The Stan Series by Sam captures the nuanced spectrum of human emotion and bodily presence through the unique lens of watercolor. Each piece in this collection conveys a moment of introspection, calm, and quiet intensity. Sam’s characteristic approach to color, which incorporates vibrant reds, greens, and yellows, contrasts with the delicate black ink outlines that anchor the compositions.
The series excels in creating an intimate atmosphere, where the viewer becomes a silent observer of the model’s vulnerability and self-reflection. The translucent layering of watercolors over detailed linework imbues the pieces with a dynamic yet ephemeral quality, reminiscent of fleeting emotions. The choice of a male figure with slender, elongated proportions continues Sam’s exploration of the male nude as a site of both strength and softness, avoiding traditional tropes of masculinity.
The Stan Series can be seen as a meditation on the interplay between form and feeling, where every brushstroke contributes to the narrative of quiet strength and self-awareness. Through this work, Sam further cements their role as an artist deeply committed to exploring the depth and breadth of human connection.