Fire (artist proof) 1971

Sam Gilliam made this ‘Fire (artist proof)’ using a process that feels both controlled and wild. The way he’s built up these layers of watery greens and yellows, it’s all about how the paint moves and settles. It’s like he's conducting a little orchestra of color right there on the page. The material itself is fascinating. You can see the fibers in the paper, giving it a raw, almost handmade quality. The paint isn't thick or showy; it’s more like a stain, seeping into the fibers, becoming one with the surface. Check out that one spot near the top, where the green deepens, almost like a shadow. It's not just a color, it's an event. Gilliam’s approach reminds me a bit of Helen Frankenthaler’s soak-stain paintings. Both artists let the paint do its thing, embracing the unpredictable. It is a reminder that art is not just about the end result, but the journey.