Breezy Evening 2020

Timur Akhriev made this painting, Breezy Evening, with oil on canvas. You can see how Akhriev builds the scene with a real directness. The marks are visible, the process upfront, which gives the painting a lovely sense of immediacy. The paint is luscious and thick. Look at the way the foreground is built up with these tangible strokes, like the whole surface is breathing. Then, see how the artist has left a gap in the paint right at the bottom. That thin line of blue just peeks through, really grounding the picture, and making the rest feel even more alive. It’s a simple trick, but so effective. There's something very Hopper-esque about this painting; the color palette, and the still, almost cinematic quality. I wonder if Akhriev was looking at him too? In any case, this piece demonstrates how art is never created in a vacuum; it’s all just one big conversation.