Port d`Aval 1926

This painting of Port d'Aval by Claude Monet is a thick impasto of yellows, blues, greys, and browns on canvas. I can imagine Monet outside, buffeted by wind and spray, squinting into the light, trying to capture the fleeting effects of the waves. The waves themselves look like furious swirls, with white crests of paint thrown on top to give texture and depth. Look at how Monet applies the paint in short, choppy strokes; each dab feels like a momentary glimpse of light on the water. You can almost feel the movement and energy of the scene. And the rock formation? A solid, looming presence rendered with the same restless brushstrokes, connecting it to the fluidity of the water. It’s as if Monet is showing us that even the most permanent-seeming things are subject to change. All painters owe something to Monet. He inspires me to be more physical and instinctive in my work.