Two women playing tennis

Despite the title, Two Women Playing Tennis shows no action, no movement, and no visible game. Instead, the figures stand side by side, facing forward, locked in a moment of stillness that feels oddly formal and exposed. The tennis court becomes a backdrop rather than a setting—suggested by the fence and open sky, but emptied of play.

Both women appear alert and watchful, their wide eyes and fixed expressions implying concentration without release. Their similarity hints at partnership or rivalry, yet no interaction occurs.

The absence of motion creates a quiet tension, as if the game has been paused indefinitely or never truly began.
The bright colours and simplified forms initially suggest something light or recreational, but the longer the image is held, the more dissonant it becomes. The court—normally associated with competition, rhythm, and rules—feels emotionally vacant. What remains is a psychological stand-off rather than a sport.

In a room, this work carries a subtle unease beneath its playful surface. The symmetry, direct gaze, and withheld action create a sense of suspension that draws viewers back repeatedly, inviting them to question what is happening, what has just happened, or what may never happen at all.

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John Stockwell is an artist based in the lush hinterland of Maleny, Queensland.

For a decade he worked as a portrait artist, honing his skill in capturing the human face with precision and sensitivity. Eventually, though, the pull of pure imagination became too strong to ignore. He set aside realism and began creating bold, quirky, exaggerated characters—wide-eyed women with swirling gazes, outsized lips, and a mischievous energy that leaps off the page.

His current works are playful, slightly absurd, and unapologetically expressive. Bright colours, distorted features, and unexpected scenarios (Glittering fish, lurking cats, floating skulls) combine to create scenes that feel both humorous and oddly haunting.

John’s art is about letting the subconscious run the show—turning everyday moments into surreal little stories that make you pause, smile, and look twice.

You can find his original drawings and limited-edition prints exclusively on Bluethumb