The Covenant 2016

Bo Bartlett's painting, The Covenant, shows a meticulous approach, building layers of thin glazes to create depth and luminosity. He's really thinking about the tradition of painting, of mastering his craft. The surface has a kind of dreamy realism to it, with incredible detail in the rendering of the deer and fawn. The texture in the grass almost vibrates with fine strokes, and those antlers have been built up with so much skill. The colours are soft, muted, and natural. I find myself getting lost in the gentle gradation of the sky and the subtle shadows that describe the form of the deer. Looking closely, it's clear that Bartlett's not just copying what he sees, but he is trying to interpret something about the world, to get at the deep sense of connection. There's something of the quiet stillness of Andrew Wyeth in this piece, yet with its own unique voice. Ultimately, painting is about so much more than just the image itself. It's about feeling, about experience, and the exploration of the human condition.