Untitled 1969

Edward Avedisian created this untitled painting with what looks like washes of acrylic, maybe even dyes, allowing the process to dictate the form. The paint isn't overworked, it's loose and free like the 60's, man! Look at the way the colors bleed and blend. There's a real sense of layering, with the various shades of red, orange, and brown merging into one another. The texture is smooth, almost like stained fabric, with the pigments soaking into the canvas. See that dark brown stroke towards the right? It's almost like a shadow, adding depth and dimension to the piece. The painting is a dance of color and form, of control and chance. Avedisian's work reminds me of Helen Frankenthaler, another painter who wasn't afraid to let the paint do its thing. It's all about embracing the unexpected, and allowing the material to guide the way.