Sad Face Emoji on Cork Wood with Vibrant Green Plants

This original artwork, titled “nombre no válido 3”, is part of Natasha Lelenco’s “nombre no válido” series, created on a tondo of recovered cork wood from tree cuttings in Galicia. The painting combines natural motifs with digital iconography, featuring an abstract afflicted face emoticon formed through intricate patterns of green leaves and small blue flowers, alluding to water and natural environments. The expression, often associated with a neutral or indifferent emotion, is subtly integrated into a rich, organic composition, blending digital symbolism with the forms of nature. The vibrant greens and blues mimic the colors of plant life and water, offering a dynamic contrast with the rough texture of the cork wood. The edges of the cork tondo are painted in bold yellow and blue, enhancing the irregular shape and surface of the natural wood. These contrasting colors emphasize the piece’s sculptural quality, while the central emoticon presents a reflection on the balance between natural materials and artificial forms. The poker face, typically conveying neutrality or a lack of emotion in digital communication, is reinterpreted here through a fusion of natural elements, such as leaves and water-like patterns, inviting a reflection on how modern symbols blend with timeless, organic imagery. Natasha Lelenco’s use of acrylic paint on cork wood allows for striking color contrasts and sharp detail in the botanical forms, enhancing the visual depth of the piece. This painting is part of a broader exploration of how language and emotion have evolved in the digital age, represented through simplified symbols on a natural support, bridging the gap between nature and technology. Keywords: Cork Wood, Poker Face Emoticon, Original Acrylic Painting, Anthropomorphic Art, Green and Blue Painting, Natural Motifs, Nature and Technology, Leaves and Water, Natasha Lelenco, Sculptural Painting, Abstract Art, Wooden Tondo, Contemporary Art