Interlocking Scarlet and Pink in Deep Green 1970

Patrick Heron pulled these shapes and colors onto paper, probably through a printmaking process. I can imagine him shifting forms around like puzzle pieces, maybe bumping into each other in unexpected ways. The dominant deep green hums, providing a backdrop for the lively dance of scarlet and pink shapes. A touch of yellow and blue pop, adding a playful note to the composition. I wonder what Heron was thinking as he decided where to place each form? Was he aiming for harmony, or was he trying to create a visual tension? The interlocking nature of the shapes suggests a kind of intimacy, like a close conversation between colors. Heron’s exploration of color reminds me of Matisse, another painter who understood the emotional power of hue. There's a sense of joy and freedom in this print. It’s like an invitation to let your eye wander and discover new relationships between colors and forms. And in that way, artists are forever talking to each other across time!