Thoughts to Make Love to and Sleep With 2019

Soey Milk made this painting, “Thoughts to Make Love to and Sleep With,” and right away I'm thinking about her process. She seems to embrace uncertainty, not being too precious. Look at the way the paint is layered – thin washes, opaque daubs, all creating this beautiful push and pull. See the background? Those loose floral shapes, almost like memories fading in and out. Then there's that glittering hair clip, so tactile, contrasting with the smooth, almost classical rendering of the face. It's like she's collaging different ways of seeing, different emotional states, all in one go. It reminds me of early Elizabeth Peyton, that same intimacy and sensitivity. But Milk brings a rawness, a willingness to let the messiness of life seep into the painting. It's not about perfection, it's about feeling.