Artist Statement: Have you ever paused during a moment when you felt a tidal wave of emotion wash over you? Everything stops and your mind may race thinking what comes next, or you might even bask in the resulting tension. I call this getting caught waiting in the almost in-between.

In my work, I aim to capture the almost feeling, the almost touch, and the almost epiphany. Each painting is designed to evoke a sense of excitement, calm and uneasiness—emotions that have created this tension many around the world have faced due to the pandemic.

Portraiture struck me as the best means of exploring these emotions and as a way of expressing how everything we do is not quite what it was. Due to the uncertainty of lockdowns and restrictions it can seem as if, when it comes to relationships, this tension has caused us to half-heartedly understand and connect with others. It is as if we are spending too much time in the almost in-between. —Kiara Scott