Orange Painting 2005

Joseph Marioni made this aptly named “Orange Painting” with what looks like oils, and I think sometime in the last few decades. The first thing that grabs you is the color, a real sunny, almost citrusy orange that just glows, right? Up close, you can see how the paint isn't just flat, it’s got texture, almost like the skin of an orange itself. The way the pigment sits on the canvas feels so intentional. Look closely at the edges. See how the color isn’t contained? It bleeds out a bit, like the painting is breathing, expanding beyond its boundaries. And you can see little rivulets of paint, where it’s dripped down, evidence of the artist’s hand, the force of gravity. I’m reminded of Yves Klein’s monochrome paintings, where color becomes the subject. But Marioni's piece has a warmth, a kind of human touch, that invites you in. It's like a conversation about color, light, and the pure joy of painting.