Tree of Reincarnation 2010

Michael Cheval painted *Tree of Reincarnation*, though I don’t know when and with what, but I’m guessing oil paint on canvas! Look at how the figure emerges, elongated and surreal, a bit like a dream. The painting has this smooth, almost polished surface that doesn't give away much about Cheval's process, but I am so curious. Is the paint thick or thin? It’s hard to tell but I’d guess he builds up layers to create that luminous effect. Look closely at the folds of her dress. There is something so playful about the way the white drapery catches the light – it's as though the fabric has a life of its own. To me it brings to mind René Magritte, whose dreamlike compositions challenged perceptions. Both artists invite us to question what we see and to embrace the ambiguity that lies beneath the surface.