Hollywood 1927

Alice Pike Barney made "Hollywood" in 1929, it looks like using pastels. Right away, I’m drawn to the way she handles color – it's not about matching reality, but about creating a feeling. The reds, pinks, and even the touches of blue feel alive. Looking closer, you can see how Barney builds up the image with layers of pastel. The strokes are visible, almost like she’s sculpting with color. See how the reds of the hat bleed slightly into the background, creating a soft halo effect? It’s like she's capturing a fleeting moment, a sense of light and atmosphere. The texture of the paper shows through in places, reminding you that this is a handmade object, full of the artist's touch. Barney's work reminds me a little of Mary Cassatt, in that it's interested in the everyday world, but with a modern, almost Fauvist, twist. It’s a reminder that art isn’t about perfection, but about exploration and the joy of seeing.