Eyes That Sing the Light is a 14 by 24-inch portrait rendered in gouache on black heavyweight vellum multimedia paper. The painting features a bald figure with a smooth, rounded head and large, dark eyes framed by sharp eyelashes. The facial features are simplified: a narrow, elongated nose and full pink lips. The figure’s high-necked blue garment stands out against warm earth tones across the face. Behind this calm presence, textured strokes of yellow, orange, and beige suggest movement and energy.

This piece draws inspiration from Cynthia Erivo’s stage presence and vocal power. I aimed to capture the inner light she radiates—her ability to connect deeply with audiences and other artists. Her performances carry a strength that broadens how musical theatre is seen and felt. The portrait is not a literal likeness but an expression of that spirit through bold shapes, color contrasts, and focused gestures.

Working on black vellum with gouache required deliberate brushwork to balance opacity with the paper’s texture. The process pushed me to distill features to their essence while preserving emotional intensity. The eyes serve as the central focus, symbolizing seeing and expressing light—the “singing” of energy from within.

Eyes That Sing the Light channels energy and calm in one frame, inviting viewers to encounter the powerful presence Cynthia Erivo embodies. It highlights abstraction serving emotional truth, rather than photographic detail. This painting marks a step toward exploring portraiture that honors both individuality and universal creative force.