St. Johns, New Brunswick, Canada 1951

John Marin sketched St. Johns, New Brunswick, Canada using graphite on paper, and what strikes me is the immediacy, the freshness of the moment captured in a flurry of lines. You can almost feel the breeze and hear the distant harbor sounds. It’s all about the surface here. The paper is almost untouched, with so much space for our eyes to wander and complete the image. The graphite lines are incredibly delicate, a nervous energy that defines the buildings and figures with an economy of means. Look at the lower right, the way Marin suggests depth with just a few strokes, that simple signature anchors the whole scene. This reminds me of some of the quick, vibrant drawings of David Hockney, both have this knack for capturing the essence of a place with a deceptive simplicity. Art isn’t about perfection, it's about the conversation between the artist, the subject, and ultimately, us.