Watercolour on paper

Signed on the back.

Flame of Life by Stiles Be is a vivid watercolour painting that merges the anatomical essence of a skull with an abstract, dreamlike aesthetic. Through the use of warm, flame-like hues of orange, red, and pink, Stiles Be invokes the intensity and vibrancy of life itself, despite the typical associations of a skull with mortality.

The skull, though identifiable, is abstracted, allowing the viewer to see beyond its literal form. Soft, fluid washes of colour bleed into each other, creating a sense of movement that breathes life into an otherwise static object. The skeletal structure, especially in the eye sockets and jaw, is subtly deconstructed through gentle brushstrokes, suggesting a more symbolic representation of humanity.

The warm hues selected by the artist evoke a dual sense of decay and warmth—playing on the concept that life and death are interconnected cycles. The blending of reds and oranges gives an impression of heat, fire, and transformation, while the translucency of the watercolour allows light to pass through, imbuing the piece with an ethereal glow.

Stiles Be's use of abstraction here hints at the transient nature of life, which is mirrored by the transient medium of watercolour—fluid, changeable, and unpredictable. The lack of harsh outlines reinforces this idea, softening the starkness of death while alluding to the fading yet persistent energy that life leaves behind. In this way, Flame of Life transforms the macabre into something luminous and resonant, embodying both the fragility and the enduring spirit of existence.