© Steve Risby 2003, 75 cm square, oil on canvas From the Artist: "My paintings are their own statement, I would hope. I'd love to hear feedback as I haven't been getting my work out there much recently, am now moving up a gear. Help always appreciated/returned. My influences include my tutors, especially Rod Harman (of Hastings), Wyne Jones, Bev Brennan , Marcus Lazerides, and my painter mates Alex Roberts (Ferrett), Keith Esdale, Chris Humphries, Gary Sollars (for my portaits) and of course all the greats, especially Vincent, early Jackson, reading William Blake when tripping, Tintoretto and El Greek; I heard Pab did a few nice ones.... Also early influences that remain, Hitchens, Lanyon, Rae,Chris Wood, friends and family. Looking forward to hearing from you all, or even just someone. I'm online on Monday very late GMT if anyone wants to chat in the Painting chat room." See also Yoko 2 and Door to the River.

From the Painting Guide: This painting has a very Japanese feeling to it; I think it's the minimalist way the figure is captured and the straight, black hair. There really is very little portrayed, yet you get such a strong feeling of a figure huddled underneath a blanket or duvet, propped up against cushion. The part that doesn't work for me is the right-hand third; I'm not sure whether this is meant to portray a cupboard or room divider, or perhaps the characters one gets on Japanese and Chinese traditional paintings, but to me it disturbs the balance of the painting and destracts from the figure. Updated to add: I originally cropped off what to me seems excess white on the right and bottom of this painting, thinking it was an untrimmed painting, but Steve said he intended this way. I can't say it works for me; the painting seems lost and floating.