Intimacy is all about revealing one's inner self to others. The mask represents the face most people show the world. I lightly colored this mask to further allude to the fact that this is really a 'made up' version of who this person really is. Her robe represents the outer shell most people show as their public self. I use flat colors and geometric shapes on the robe to symbolize the removing of the staid self. The warm skin and the curved shapes of the jewelry reflect the organic and fluid self.

The decorative flower motifs in the background are very reminiscent of the work of Gustav Klimt and symbolize the hidden garden of emotion that is inside us all. My intention was to create an 'everybeauty,' so I deliberately painted her with golden skin and green eyes. I wanted to make sure she was not clearly of one race or background

- Thomas Blackshear