Meilani is a combination of "mei" and "lani," translating to "heavenly flower" or "May flower." In this piece, that's not an abstract idea: the background is scattered with red and white paint splashes that together resemble a starry sky behind the body.

The sky is literally visible in the composition, not as a backdrop, but as part of who Meilani is.

Meilani looks the viewer straight in the eye, reaching one arm out of the frame. An open, direct gesture rather than a moment of withdrawal.

That outward direction gives the piece movement: it feels less like a moment of rest, more like a moment of action.

The body is built from cool blues and vivid pinks, outlined with black linework that turns sharp and angular at the neck, almost like a crown atop an otherwise flowing form.

Thin streaks of gold run down beneath the shapes, like painted tears. Together with the red and white splashes in the background, this gives the piece a visible energy — paint that has been in motion.

This piece also forms the basis for the second Letters from Sissi edition, in November.