Woman 1969

Fairfield Porter made this drawing of a woman in 1969, using what looks like ink on paper. It's all about the lines, isn't it? Porter’s marks are kind of wobbly and uneven, which to me, makes the whole thing feel so alive, like a quick snapshot of someone just being themselves. Look at the way he suggests the folds of her skirt with these dense, scribbly lines. It’s not about perfection; it’s about capturing the essence. The texture is built up through these layers of marks, giving her form weight. I love that you can almost feel the artist's hand moving across the paper, making decisions on the fly. It reminds me a bit of Alex Katz's portraits, in that both artists are interested in the everyday and the immediate. But where Katz is cool, Porter is warm. For me, this piece is about how art is a conversation, constantly building on what’s come before, but always with a unique voice.