On a terre verte background, a trans model has their thumb hitched in their underwear. They teasingly pull it up a bit then down a bit. A good friend looked at this and was sure it was a guy in a speedo and to that I said yes. You are correct. For you it can be a guy in a speedo. But for others it might be something else and that is why I love paintings that are ambiguous.

Ambiguous

May 13, 2026

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in 2026, Oil, People

This oil painting by Jolie Theall is a larger-than-life close-up of a human with their thumb in their yellowish bottom. The color palette is calming with a terre verte background and Naples yellow in the fabric.

I love the ambiguity of the subject. Is it a bathing suit, or is it coming off or going on? Female, male, or trans? Or even if that is their arm and hand? Even though there are open questions, the color is calming.

40″ x 30″
Oil Painting on Gallery Canvas with extended painted sides