Fire (artist proof) 1971

Sam Gilliam made this abstract print, an artist proof titled 'Fire', using layers of gorgeous green ink and delicate fibers. It makes me think about the sheer physical effort, the back and forth, the layering and the wiping away. Gilliam probably had a clear vision, but I bet the painting surprised him along the way. There's such a sense of improvisation, like he’s riffing on a theme, each layer responding to the last. The horizontal bands of color give a sense of grounding to the composition, like earth meeting sky. Then, these delicate white fibers that have been laid across the surface create a kind of ethereal veil, like branches, obscuring and revealing what lies beneath. The textures and densities that emerge are beautiful! He's clearly in conversation with the Abstract Expressionists, but forging his own path. It reminds us that artists are constantly building on what came before, in an ongoing exchange of ideas and techniques. Painting is a process of discovery. It’s about embracing uncertainty and allowing for multiple interpretations to emerge over time.