Stephen Hannock is a contemplative artist, constantly bringing a fresh vision and new insight into his studies of light and reflection reminiscent of the Luminist paintings of the 19th century. His landscape paintings, subtly lit with the rising sun's rays over flooded waters, slowly build with the layers of lacquer Hannock adds; it is this polishing technique over his oil paintings, sometimes adding up to twelve layers of varnish, that allows him play with the reflection of light and shadow over his subjects. Current events and moments from the artist's life are brought into each piece in the form of messages, clippings and photographs built into the lacquered layers that recede into the painting when viewed from a distance, making the work not only a representation of the subject but also a reflection of the life of the artist at the time the piece is completed.The final presentation is a painting that is deeply human; it touches the viewer with its honesty, wit and humour. This richly illustrated monograph includes a wide spectrum of paintings spanning the artist's career as well as drawings done while travelling in Asia, Europe, and North America, and of friends in the music and arts industries at work in their homes and studios.