Oriental Poppies 1928

Georgia O'Keeffe made these "Oriental Poppies" with oil paint, pushing up close to the flowers, really filling the frame with these big orange petals. What's so compelling about this painting is the way O'Keeffe builds up the color. It’s not just flat; there's a real sense of depth through the layering. Look at the way the reds and oranges blend into each other, creating a soft, almost velvety texture. Then there's that intense black center, which is like a void, drawing you in. I’m struck by how O’Keeffe uses these simple shapes to create something so powerful. It reminds me a bit of some of the work of Hilma af Klint, with that similar interest in the relationship between organic forms and almost abstract composition. Both artists show how art can be a way of exploring our connection to the natural world, while also pushing the boundaries of what painting can be.