In Michelle's Bar 1993

Maria Bozoky made "In Michelle's Bar" with watercolor and ink. It has these nervous lines and transparent washes of pink, purple, and blue... I imagine her working quickly to capture a feeling of fleeting time. I see Bozoky in Michelle’s bar, sketching with a brush, trying to get the feel of the place just right; that casual off-hand-ness is really something else. I wonder about that word ‘Sangria’ painted in bright orange in the background, maybe she’s got a glass of it herself as she paints? The paint is thin here, and I notice how these transparent layers create depth and mood. The woman in the foreground almost seems lost in thought, while the other figures float in and out of focus. There’s something that feels honest and direct about this painting, like a visual diary entry, maybe reminiscent of Bonnard? It's this great reminder that artists are always looking, always responding, always learning from one another, and trying to make sense of the world around them.