Flambeau

This piece, titled Flambeau by Trudy, measures 16 x 20 inches and is created using pencil and acrylic paint on mixed media paper. The title, drawn from Trinidad Creole, refers to a torch — once used to light paths through darkness, to guide, to signal, or to bring attention. It carries the weight of fire and purpose, but also the quiet symbolism of holding light within.

A woman is shown with her eyes gently closed, a faint smile touching her lips. Her expression is peaceful, yet not vacant— it carries the quiet confidence of someone who has endured much, but refuses to be hardened by it. There is a softness in her face, in the way the pencil captures each curve and subtle fold, that invites a closer look. She is simply resting, breathing, being.

Flambeau by Trudy C. T. Phillip

Trudy’s use of pencil brings a soft, detailed realism to the face. The shading is smooth and controlled, capturing the gentle rise of the cheekbones, the curve of the lips, and the relaxed jaw and eyelids. The monochrome treatment of the skin contrasts beautifully with the vibrant colours in the hair, which is painted in acrylic using bold reds, oranges, with hints of blue and purple, expressing energy and depth.

Her hair is full and textured, painted in bold strokes that frame her face. It’s as though the torch — the flambeau — is not something she holds, but something she is. Yet this fire does not consume. It surrounds, protects, and glows.

There is a tension between the bold colours and the softness of her expression. It speaks to the balance between being strong and being tender, between showing fire and hiding fragility. The expectation is to be resilient, loud, and unshakable. But Flambeau reveals a carefully hidden softness, a rich inner world that rarely asks for anything.

By choosing this title, Trudy reframes what it means to burn brightly. The flame here is not angry or wild; it is steady, warm, and self-contained. Through thoughtful contrast and emotional detail, Flambeau invites the viewer to witness the quiet power she saw in her Grandmother, not just in how she stood up in the world, but in how she carried herself when no one was watching.