Deep Crimson 1988

Eyvind Earle’s *Deep Crimson*, is possibly a gouache painting on board, I can tell you that much. Look at how the artist orchestrates flat planes of color, like someone cutting shapes out of paper. The crimson backdrop feels almost velvety, doesn't it? A stark contrast to the creamy, almost lemon-yellow figure bending, and the cascading black hair. The smoothness in the way Earle blends makes me think of a printerly finish, almost like a cel from an animated film. Look closely and you'll see tiny details. It's so delicate; the way the lines of her hair trail. Earle's commitment to flatness feels like a dialogue with artists like Henri Matisse, who also reveled in the power of simplified forms and bold colors. But Earle brings a uniquely stylized sensibility, carving out his own space in the ongoing conversation of art. There's no single way to experience this work. Let it speak to you.