With the plain fingers and the pen en plein air 2011

Alfred Freddy Krupa made this drawing, en plein air, with a pen, and seemingly, with his plain fingers. The title itself points to the elemental process, the directness of artmaking. It's all about the immediacy of the gesture here. The black ink is laid down with a confident hand, creating a landscape that feels both familiar and abstract. Look at the way the buildings are suggested with just a few strokes, almost like musical notation. The reflections in the water are equally spare, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. It's like Krupa is saying, "Here's the essence of this place, captured in a few quick marks." This reminds me a little of Cy Twombly, in the way that he could suggest so much with so little. It's a reminder that art doesn't always have to be about perfection. Sometimes, it's about capturing a moment, a feeling, with whatever tools you have at hand.