Captivating. Wonderful. Its pointless to use singular words to describe pictures like this. Their beauty is great and the concepts and ideas behind them are even more impressive when understood by others. But I digress, let's get down to business shall we?

The detail placed in the male subject is excellent and each curve of his figure is accurately depicted. The tree branches curve like thin aging fingers stretching out to the male subject, with a single apple clinging to one of its branches as if to offer it.

Each individual color shade seems to perfectly bind the image together. The gentle shades of blue resonating from behind the tree as if we could see the tree's life force or its aura. The colors along the other side of the image are eye-popping and immediately garter attention. The shadows along the tree branches and even the subtle shadows near the male subject are excellently balanced and don't cause any overbearing attention on the image itself.

Overall the image displays a beautiful depiction of creativity and even struggle. If I may, I can see that the male pushing against the edge of the image in hopes of reaching the other side, could represent someone dealing with great isolation and loneliness and is desperately seeking something different than what their used to. The apple on the tree could represent a last beacon of hope that could be used as morale for the person's mission. Nevertheless, my words can't speak for everyone, but this doesn't make this image any less breathtaking. Great job Kate!

It is so wonderful to find art like this in the message center!

I think the theme of the image is very original (I don't catch the meaning of the title though). It is refreshing to see art proposing new subjects.

I have many things to say about this piece since, to me, it represents a new step in your art.

From a technical point of view...
I find you show us here that you master watercolor technique...the making of the blue background is amazing... I also find the fantastic the use of the dark spots on the yellow side...and my favorite of the whole piece is the carelessly done black curve on the already mentioned yellow side...

The composition is great and the pose of the male figure is for a standing ovation... Absolutely delicate and strong at the same time.

The variety of tones used in the tree branches is remarkable, as well as the rendering of the facets in the crystal flower.

The balance between both sides (though very contrasting) is very well resolved...

Meaning...
The amount of symbolism in this piece is huge...and its magic resides in the multiple readings it has...

The strongest reading to me is the fight of the masculine side against the feminine side or as Jung would say the animus vs anima (the masculine aspects and the feminine aspects each person has)...

The second is about the need of mankind for nature (already in dark times) fighting the rational aspects (geometric shapes) that rule the world...contrasting the crystal flower meaning money and progress with the fading tree with the fruit.

The later reminds me of something you mentioned some time ago...about how uncomfortable you feel in the US... the piece might be reflecting that too...

Your new steps...
I think this piece shows a new step in your talents...
This piece is absolutely mature...not only for the mastery of techniques but also for the deepness of concepts...
Your previous pieces were showing your progress in technical skills but the themes were treated a little naively compared to this piece...
I would say that this piece also shows your personal style in all its splendor....
I think, from now on the art you show is not longer ^snowmask's but Katie Franke's...the artist...