Skull With Cigarette

Skull with Cigarette is a stark, confrontational still life that balances symbolism and quiet humor. The skull, rendered with earthy neutrals and controlled highlights, emerges from a divided background—warm red on one side, deep black on the other—suggesting tension between life and absence, heat and void.

A lit cigarette rests between the teeth, its smoke drifting upward and subtly carrying the artist’s signature. The gesture is simple but loaded: a moment frozen between decay and defiance, calm and consequence. The composition feels deliberate and centered, inviting the viewer to sit with the image rather than rush past it.

Painted with expressive but disciplined brushwork, this piece reflects an ongoing exploration of mortality, stillness, and human habit—without sentimentality or excess.

Details

• Title: Skull with Cigarette
• Year: 2026
• Medium: Oil on gesso board
• Size: 8 × 10 inches
• One-of-a-kind original artwork
• Signed and dated by the artist