Ocean Park #46 1971

Richard Diebenkorn made *Ocean Park #46* with oil on canvas, but when is anyone’s guess. The beauty of this painting is in its process, like a conversation between the artist and the canvas. The surface is fascinating. It’s not about hiding the work, but showing it. You can see the under layers, the ghosts of previous decisions. The paint is applied thinly, almost like a watercolor wash in some areas, allowing the canvas to breathe through. But then, there are these moments of thicker impasto, where the brushstrokes become more assertive. Take that red bar along the top. It’s not just a color; it’s a statement, a bold declaration against the softer hues below. For me, Diebenkorn echoes the ethos of Agnes Martin, where simplicity becomes a vehicle for profound contemplation. These aren’t just paintings; they’re invitations to slow down, to see, and to feel.