Behind the Series: Finding Comfort in You

By Sebastien Montel

The Finding Comfort in You series is one of the most personal bodies of work I have created. As a French artist working in both Los Angeles and Palm Springs, I wanted to explore not the grand gestures of connection, but the small, intimate ones that often hold the greatest weight.

The Genesis of the Series

The idea emerged from observing how we lean on others in times of difficulty. Comfort is a universal need, but it manifests in the simplest of ways, an embrace, a hand on the shoulder, or even silent presence. My goal was to show these quiet moments through the lens of expressionist art, where distortion and exaggeration reveal deeper truths.

Finding Comfort in You I

The first painting depicts youth, where vulnerability is raw and comfort is instinctive. A distressed seated figure is soothed by a gentle hand, a reminder that compassion often requires no words. This piece is anchored in emotional art, portraying comfort as both fragile and powerful.

Finding Comfort in You II

The second painting introduces ambiguity. A female figure envelops a male counterpart, seemingly absorbing his pain. Is she consoling him, or implicated in his distress? The questions this raises are central to psychological art, where interpretation rests in the viewer’s hands.

Finding Comfort in You III

The final piece emphasizes relief, the seated figure relaxes into the reassurance of touch. The enlarged hands symbolize the strength found in small gestures. Here, comfort is shown as the power to transfer stability from one soul to another.

What the Series Means to Me

Through mixed media art, with layers of oil, pencil, and newspaper, I wanted to emphasize that comfort is itself layered. It does not erase pain but coexists with it, creating resilience. In the context of contemporary art, I believe the series reflects a universal truth: that compassion is the quiet architecture of human survival.