Reclining Woman 1978

Will Barnet made this painting, ‘Reclining Woman’ using oil on canvas. The subdued blues and greens feel so calming, don’t they? It reminds me of how artmaking is really a process of layering emotions and ideas. Look at how Barnet carefully applies the paint, so thin and even, like he's trying to smooth out all the bumps. The texture feels almost like a memory. I can almost feel the quietness of the scene, the gentle breeze, or the coolness of the earth under her body. Take the woman’s dress, for example, the way it drapes, it’s almost like a landscape in itself. It’s a painting that invites us to slow down. It’s interesting to compare him to someone like Milton Avery, who also worked with simple forms and colors, but with a looser, more gestural touch. Both artists show us that painting isn’t about capturing a perfect image, but about creating a space for feeling and reflection.