I have encountered a peacock only rarely, and my memories of it are faint, almost dreamlike—a glimpse from a childhood visit to an artificial aviary. The peacock did not unfurl its tail as one might hope but wandered leisurely instead. As I engaged with this painting, I instinctively chose delicate shades of blue and violet. Struggling with the fluidity of the oil paint, I began to discern the emergence of individual feathers. I paired lake green with misty gray until, gradually, a peacock came into view, its gaze subdued and contemplative. This peacock is absorbed in its own silent ritual, unhurried by the need to display its splendor or to seek validation from the world.