Inner Tides V
 
Artist: Luci Bardos – Lake Country, British Columbia
Medium: Mixed Media and Oil on Canvas
Original Artwork
 
Inner Tides V is a captivating abstract composition by Lake Country artist Luci Bardos, exploring the relationship between movement, texture, colour and the emotions that lie beneath the surface of our everyday lives.
 
Rich in atmosphere and visual complexity, this original artwork invites viewers into a world where the boundaries between the physical landscape and the imagination begin to dissolve.
 
Deep midnight blues, charcoal and smoky greys dominate the composition, creating a dramatic foundation against which delicate passages of pale blue, silver and white emerge. At its heart, an energetic burst of fiery orange and crimson introduces warmth and intensity, while scattered touches of gold appear throughout the painting like fragments of light breaking through darkness.
 
The interplay between these colours creates a remarkable sense of movement. Dark, textured forms appear to drift and gather, while softer areas seem to expand and dissolve, suggesting the constantly changing rhythms of water, weather and the natural world.
 
What makes Inner Tides V particularly compelling is its extraordinary surface texture.
 
Through her combination of mixed-media techniques and oil paint, Bardos creates a richly layered composition that rewards closer examination. Areas of raised texture contrast with delicate washes of colour, while scattered markings and subtle variations in the surface give the work a wonderful sense of depth.
 
The painting's title offers another dimension to its interpretation.
 
Inner Tides suggests the unseen currents that shape our thoughts, memories and emotions. Much like the movement of the ocean, our inner lives are constantly changing—sometimes calm and reflective, sometimes turbulent and filled with energy.
 
The dramatic contrasts within this painting beautifully express that idea. The brilliant orange centre may evoke a moment of awakening, transformation or creative energy, while the surrounding blues and greys suggest contemplation, mystery and the quieter spaces of the imagination.
 
Yet Bardos leaves the interpretation open to the viewer. Some may see an abstract coastal landscape, others a celestial formation or an extraordinary moment of natural transformation. This freedom of interpretation is part of what makes abstract art so engaging.
 
There is an appealing balance between spontaneity and control throughout the composition. The textured surfaces feel organic and unpredictable, while the careful distribution of colour creates a harmonious visual experience.
 
With its sophisticated palette, expressive textures and contemporary character, Inner Tides V would make a striking addition to a modern residence, professional office, boutique hotel or thoughtfully curated art collection.
 
At Peachland Village Art Studio, we are delighted to showcase original works by talented Okanagan artists whose creativity brings fresh perspectives to contemporary art. Luci Bardos's Inner Tides V is a wonderful example of the expressive possibilities of mixed media and oil painting, offering a work that is both visually powerful and deeply contemplative.
 
An evocative exploration of movement, emotion and transformation—where colour and texture reveal the extraordinary beauty of what lies beneath the surface.