The Penetration of a Thought 1958

Gandy Brodie made "The Penetration of a Thought" with visible brushstrokes that really let you track his process. The colours seem muted, kind of like a memory fading in and out. Looking closely, the texture is built up with layers – you can almost feel the push and pull of his hand, especially in the way the purple and pink mix in the figure’s dress. It’s like he’s not just painting a picture, but also painting the feeling of being lost in thought. That stroke of grey right above her head? It’s so direct, so raw, that you can imagine the energy of the moment he made it. Brodie reminds me a bit of Milton Avery, especially in the way they both use simplified shapes and colours to suggest deeper emotions. But where Avery feels calm, Brodie's got this restless, searching quality. It's art that invites you to bring your own feelings and experiences to the table.