Woman with Red Hair 1922

Arthur Beecher Carles made this oil painting of a woman with red hair and pale skin, set against a dark backdrop. I wonder, was he thinking of his friend John Marin as he painted the bold planes of color, or the Fauvist, Matisse? I see him building up the image with strokes of red, black, white and blue, carving out a space for the woman to simply be. The paint isn't too thick, but you can feel the presence of each brushstroke, the artist's hand moving across the canvas, and the woman, her face in quiet repose. Her red hair is a crown of fire; it seems a bit unruly and vibrant. The stark contrast with her pale skin creates a tension, a sense of vibrancy and life. Painting is just this ongoing conversation, this back-and-forth between artists across time. We all inspire each other, riffing off ideas, and experimenting with color and form. It is an embodied expression, embracing the unknown and creating space for our unique interpretations.