Seen and Not Heard (3)

"Seen and Not Heard (3)" is the final, powerful image in a three-part series exploring the complex intersection of visibility, voice, and the feminine experience. In this haunting watercolor portrait by J. Brooke Wade, orange-brown lips hold a vivid blue eyeball — a surreal and emotionally charged reversal of gaze. It’s a portrait of silence and awareness, of seeing but not speaking, and of the quiet tension that builds when voices are kept behind closed mouths.

Painted with fluid control and subtle texture, the piece speaks without a word. The contrast between the warm, grounded tones of the lips and the stark clarity of the eye evokes the experience of being present, observed, and restrained all at once. The background remains soft and muted, allowing the central image to hold space — commanding but still, like a moment paused in time.

As the third and final piece in the Seen and Not Heard series, this painting closes a visual narrative that has asked us to consider what it means to be visible but voiceless — especially for women. It’s a symbolic representation of emotional resilience, restraint, and the weight of being seen without being heard. This work invites viewers to look, but also to question how they are looking — and why some voices remain hidden.

Perfect for:

• collectors of feminist surrealism and gothic symbolic art

• those drawn to watercolor portraiture with emotional and social depth

• admirers of unconventional feminine imagery and surreal body symbolism

• anyone seeking meaningful art that challenges and reflects

This is art that promotes conversation. It stands beautifully on its own or as the conclusion to the full Seen and Not Heardtrilogy. Whether displayed in a private studio, reading nook, gallery wall, or public setting, it offers a layered message of resistance, vulnerability, and empowerment — quietly powerful and visually unforgettable.

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