Radiant Blue 2011

Bernadette Resha made "Radiant Blue," sometime in 2010, but I don't know what with. The cool tones of the butterfly against the vibrant green leaves suggests a kind of tension that’s really interesting. Especially if you look closely and see how the painting has this great textured surface. I wonder about the process Resha used. You can feel the way the brushstrokes create little ridges and valleys in the paint, so the surface becomes alive and tactile. It’s as if the painting is less about imitating and more about capturing a fleeting impression. Take a look at the top left of the canvas. See how the blue seems to flow, like a watercolor, and how the contrast between light and dark shapes the wing. It reminds me a little of Odilon Redon, how he built up images from subtle tonal variations. Ultimately, though, Resha's piece stands alone as a testament to the power of observation and the beauty of impermanence.