NEWS: “Momentum” has been juried into the 2025 Open International Online Exhibition, as one of 167 selected artworks out of 1180 submissions. View the exhibition here.
NEWS: “Momentum” has received an Honourable Mention in the Women’s Art Society of Montreal (WASM) Juried Exhibition at the Montreal Arts Council, May 2025.

In MOMENTUM, cultural and historical allusions offer layers of meaning that invite the viewer to engage with the work on a deeper level. The traditional depiction of a "woman on a sofa" is challenged through the artist's lens of magical realism: here elevated to a star-filled galaxy, where she takes as much space as she chooses. The woman ponders the past, present and future in quiet solitude, communing with a Monarch butterfly on her knee, a nod to their shared transformation and resilience. In her crown, the Earth shows four continents: North and South America, Europe and Africa, the storm systems between them illustrating the turbulence and trauma caused by the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Every detail of sumptuous comfort and luxury, from her satin gown to her sapphire earring, to her Regency settee, calls back to appropriation, imperialism and exploitation. In terms of societal change, momentum is achieved with impetus and persistence. This painting is in acknowledgement of the enormous work and perseverance of Black women and all they have achieved despite power systems historically used to oppress them.

Momentum  is a pure watercolour painting—all whites are the white of the paper. While the planet, the woman and her sofa were painstakingly painted with multiple glazes of pigment, the deep space background was completed with a single layer, itself a feat of watercolour application. The crown has been gilded in raised relief with 24 karat gold. It took over a year to complete this painting, and the whole process is documented on my Instagram. This artwork is for someone who loves and appreciates thought-provoking imagery with an inspirational mood. I’m grateful to my model for this painting, the inimitable artist and poet Tracey Steer.

Watercolour, 28 × 40”, the framed size is approximately 36 × 48”, painted with professional light-fast pigments, and 24 karat gold leaf, on 100% cotton Arches cold pressed 300 lb paper. The painting is signed by me, JC Little, on the front and has the title and date on the back. I will include a certificate of authenticity with this painting. It will be packaged with bubble wrapping and cardboard to protect it, inside a cardboard box. To avoid waste, where ever possible I will re-use mailers and other packaging materials.To preserve the painting from deterioration, display away from direct sunlight.

Actual colours may vary from those shown here depending on the device you are using to view the painting. All copyright, reproduction/duplication rights, and artist’s resale rights are reserved by the artist JC Little. This painting will be sold with the condition that the artist may show the painting in an art gallery or other art show setting.

Limited Edition prints (first state) customized with hand -embellished 24k gold leaf are available HERE .