Ray of Sun
In Ray of Sun, rendered in delicate yet deliberate graphite, Troy Hul Arnold presents his mother and recurring muse, Catherine London, in a moment of quiet command. Facing the viewer head-on, her expression is at once serene and inquisitive—an open, almost sacred invitation to engage.

Unlike portraits that capture passive reflection, this work is dynamic in its stillness. Catherine’s gaze does not simply meet the viewer’s; it holds space, as though awaiting a response. In doing so, Arnold transforms the act of looking into an exchange—a visual call and response—grounded in maternal presence and patient strength.

The title Ray of Sun speaks to more than light; it evokes warmth, clarity, and the kind of unwavering presence a mother can represent. Through minimal yet emotionally rich mark-making, Arnold positions Catherine not just as subject, but as witness, guide, and subtle interlocutor—reminding us that the most powerful dialogues often unfold in silence.