It was over a year ago now I first caught site of Baldessin's figure in Performance, 1971. And the subject, originally horizontal, rotated itself to give her a largely vertical thrust outwards. I saw so much possibility in it - it was just a question of responding to that opportunity. Other forms repurposed themselves in my mind too, like Balthus beautiful and languid creature in Nude with Cat, 1948.
What came out the other side, after months of starting, then restarting this painting, was Indigo's Arc.
