Wangari Mathenge’s magnetic, figurative paintings capture candid, everyday moments—like lounging on the couch, sitting on the stoop, or taking a sip of coffee. Her subjects, often based on herself or family members, pose confidently or wistfully gaze off into the distance. “For me, painting is merely an expression of myself, a form of catharsis," Mathenge told Artsy. "Currently, it takes the form of figurative painting, but if it ever morphed into abstraction, it would still feel the same to me—something of me that I offer to the world unsolicited.” Mathenge’s work is remarkable too for her vivid color palette—which calls to mind the paintings of Alice Neel—and energetic swirls of paint. “I enjoy expressive brushwork,” Mathenge said. “It’s the one part of painting that is always a surprise, as it is often dictated by mood and energy.”