2025
Artist Comments
Artist Edward McHugh developed the concept for this painting during the height of the Me Too movement in 2018. After exploring the idea through preliminary drawings, he later returned to the studies. He committed to a finished work that reflects on this period of cultural change and its continuing impact. The portrait takes on a surreal quality, enriched with intricate patterning and vibrant color. A crowned female figure emerges within a dynamic composition that includes flame-like elements and a floating vase with a single flower, creating a powerful, symbolic atmosphere.
About the Artist
Artist Edward McHugh creates surreal figurative paintings that place human and animal forms within abstract, dreamlike spaces. His works explore identity, vulnerability, transformation, and the psychological tension within color and form. "I'm drawn to strong subject matter and bold palettes where vivid color becomes a language of its own, amplifying the psychological charge of each piece," says Edward. His influences are shaped by extensive travel and time spent in museums around the world, with the Vatican Museum leaving a particularly lasting impression, reinforcing the symbolism that echoes his Irish Catholic upbringing in Boston. Edward believes artistic growth comes through discipline and consistency, showing up to the studio each day with intention and focus. He works from a neat, organized space he calls his "chapel," accompanied by curated playlists and film soundtracks that support his process. When not making art, Edward enjoys cycling, kayaking, and watching films.
Words that describe this painting: woman, portrait, flames, crown, face, vase, people, surrealism, acrylic painting, green
A Woman Inflamed
Edward McHugh
Acrylic painting on stretched canvas
Painting wraps around edges
Ready to hang
One-of-a-kind
2025
30 in. h x 24 in. w x 1.5 in. d
5 lbs. 0 oz.
Dead Opera Star, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Edward McHugh often draws inspiration from music and song lyrics. This work pays tribute to Mark Linkous, the musician behind Sparklehorse, an influentia...
Acrylic
If Birds Ruled the World, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Edward McHugh’s affinity for nature is evident in this surreal composition centered on a crow. Inspired by growing understanding of the intelligence of...
Acrylic
Every Little Thing, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A woman in a red dress lies on a yellow floor, clutching a handful of irises to her chest. A bluebird holding a branch with three flowers hovers nearby. Artist ...
Acrylic
Echoes of Fire, Original Painting
By Diana Elena Chelaru
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A figure in a flowing dress of blue flowers stands against a background of swirling patterns that move around her like living energy. She appears as a young wom...
Mixed Media
With Her Thoughts, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
"This acrylic painting is of a woman sitting who is very contemplative," states artist Gail Ragains. With her elbows resting on her legs and her hair partiall...
Acrylic
The Unfolding Silence, Original Painting
By Diana Elena Chelaru
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A woman appears surrounded by swirling, luminous strokes. Flowing lines move through her figure, giving her a dreamlike appearance and a poetic presence. The bl...
Acrylic
Understanding Acrylic Painting on Canvas: Contemporary Art, 2010+
Located in London, GB
Kingsley Obasi 1983 - Current Understanding, 2020 Acrylic on canvas 152.4 x 165.1 cm 60 x 65 in
Canvas, Acrylic
"Ember" Acrylic painting
By Julio Labra
Located in Denver, CO
Julio Labra's "Ember" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a feminine figure in red with her many arms and hands of orange reaching into the nighttime sky like a flame ...
Acrylic, Board
Woman On Fire
By Irony
Located in Dallas, TX
Self taught, Irony's industrial scale street artworks still retain a softness, painting freehand with spray paints, like an oil painter with a brush. On canvas too, across many subje...
Mixed Media, Board
Girl on Fire
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This artwork is part of a series of creative collaborations between painter John-Herbert Wright & photographer John Mazlish.
Canvas, Photographic Film, Mixed Media, Acrylic
"Almost Beautiful Thought" 2021
By Pitanius
Located in New York, NY
Pitanius "Almost Beautiful Thought" 2021 Japanese Sumi Ink on Paper 22 x 28 inches About the artist Pitanius was born in 1986 in Tbilisi, Georgia. Pitanius’s artistic journey has ...
Paper, Sumi Ink
Untitled - Contemporary polish art, Expressionistic portrait, Abstraction
Located in Warsaw, PL
MARZENA KAWALEROWICZ Polish artist. Currently, she lives and works in Warsaw. She has been exhibiting her paintings all over the world. Most important exhibitions were in "Galerie Je...
Mixed Media, Board
