medicinesheild op 595x600 Raymond Nordwall

The composition presents a complex interplay of geometric forms and stylized figurative elements. A central, dominant figure – resembling a horned animal, perhaps a bison or ram – occupies a significant portion of the canvas. Its form is rendered in dark tones against a backdrop of vibrant, fragmented color fields. The animal’s posture suggests alertness, with its head turned slightly to the left and its body angled forward.
The background is structured by a series of interlocking squares, rectangles, and circles, creating a sense of spatial ambiguity and fractured perspective. These shapes are painted in a palette of reds, blues, yellows, greens, and blacks, often juxtaposed to create visual tension. Several circular motifs appear throughout the work; one large circle encompasses the animal figure, while smaller circles are scattered across other sections of the background. A triangular form, rendered in yellow-gold, is positioned near the lower center, adding another layer of geometric complexity.
The artist employs a flattened perspective and simplified forms, characteristic of modernist abstraction. The lack of traditional shading or modeling contributes to the painting’s two-dimensional quality. The use of bold outlines further emphasizes the shapes and separates them from one another.
Subtextually, the work seems to explore themes of protection and duality. The animal figure, potentially symbolizing strength and resilience, is contained within a circular form that could represent wholeness or enclosure. The fragmented background might suggest a disrupted reality or a sense of inner turmoil. The stars depicted in the upper right quadrant introduce an element of aspiration or spiritual guidance. Overall, the painting conveys a feeling of restrained energy and symbolic weight, inviting contemplation on themes of identity, confinement, and the search for meaning within a fractured world.