There is tension on the surface. Present for a moment in time as olive oil, splashed freely across the acrylic paint, settles into a pattern. It reminds me of drizzling toffee or honey and in that moment I love the freedom of the mark – just as it is. I long to retain the spontaneity of the moment, and so I gingerly set it down on the floor to allow it to settle. As I turn away from the work I am moved into the next moment by the sound of the dog licking the olive oil from the surface. The mark made in that moment in time, was too good to resist. The tension has been dissolved and of course, the dog is happy.