I Circle the Sun Like a Shadow

I Circle the Sun Like Shadow (2012) is a deeply introspective oil and ContÈ work on cold-pressed French watercolor paper, forming the third major painting in Sean Rush’s Prayer Series. The title is drawn directly from Rumi, the 13th-century Sufi poet, imbuing the work with spiritual and poetic resonance rooted in mystical tradition.

The painting portrays a man reclining in quiet stillness-bathed in light yet edged with shadow-embodying a posture of humility and contemplation. Rush blends anatomical realism with expressive gesture: warm umber tones and fluid contours define the figure, while the surrounding space dissolves into delicate washes and minimalist marks. The visible paper surface reinforces a sense of tactile vulnerability and emotional clarity.

Rather than depicting a formal religious act, I Circle the Sun Like Shadow evokes the internal experience of meditation and prayer. The interplay of subtle light, posture, and restraint renders a profound moment of emotional stillness.

As a companion to Modern Prayer and Gathering Perspective, this piece deepens Rush’s exploration of spiritual devotion, interior focus, and the sublime threshold where visual gesture becomes an act of prayer.