Citrus & Sunshine 2019

Carrie Graber painted "Citrus & Sunshine" in 1975. The overwhelming sense is one of warmth, achieved through a citrus-infused palette of yellows and greens that dominate the composition. Graber uses color not just as decoration, but as a structural component. Notice how the light filters through the window, creating a play of shadows that sculpt the space. The woman, positioned centrally, acts as a vertical anchor, her white dress a stark contrast to the surrounding hues. Yet even she is bathed in the pervasive light, integrated into the chromatic scheme. The high-key color scheme and domestic subject matter nod to a certain Californian aesthetic. However, Graber is less concerned with mimesis and more interested in exploring the formal properties of color and light. This is not just a painting of a sun-drenched kitchen, it's a study in how color can define space, mood, and ultimately, our perception.