Untitled (SFP94-105, SFF.1697) 1994

This abstract watercolor was made by Sam Francis sometime before his death in 1994. Look at how Francis fearlessly lets the paint drip and run, creating a dance of blues, yellows, and reds on the canvas. It’s like watching a storm of color unfold right before your eyes. I love how the translucency of the watercolor allows the white of the paper to peek through, adding lightness and airiness to the composition. The thin washes of blue create a sense of depth, while the bold splashes of red and yellow inject energy and excitement. Notice that drip of yellow paint that streaks across the surface, it's like a bolt of lightning, connecting different areas of the painting and adding a sense of movement. Francis' work reminds me a bit of Helen Frankenthaler, but with a more chaotic, almost explosive energy. Both artists embraced the fluidity of paint, but Francis takes it to another level, creating these vibrant, dynamic compositions that feel both spontaneous and carefully considered. It's a great example of how abstract art can capture a feeling, an energy, a moment in time, without relying on recognizable imagery.