Thief of Time. As I look through old photographs, memories of a time that has passed come flooding back. The young mother standing by the window, the cats lounging on the couch, capturing celebrations as well as the essence of everyday life. Frozen in time, these images encompass various events in my life, in different homes, creating a peculiar sense of proximity and yet, a lingering distance. A small plaster sculpture remains consistent in several of the photographs, usually sitting on a windowsill or a shelf in the background. The sculpture depicts a relaxed young man, slightly crouched, his gaze fixed on a specific point. He holds a long staff–is it a weapon? Is he waiting for his prey? With wings at his ankles and on his helmet, it must be the God Hermes, the one who sped across the celestial vaults, earning him the title Messenger of the Gods. Also known as the God of Thieves, is he the one to blame? His constant presence in everything that later disappeared sparks my curiosity. I feel the need to paint him, envisioning his exploits as he travels across the celestial vault with messages that may never find their way to me.