Armenian village 1969

Martiros Sarian made this drawing, Armenian Village, in 1964. It's pure, unadulterated mark-making, a testament to the joy of process. Look at how Sarian uses line – the way he builds up the forms of the village with these delicate, almost scribbled marks. The lines aren't just outlines; they're like a dance across the paper. Each stroke feels intuitive, immediate, as if Sarian is letting his hand move freely, guided by the landscape itself. The marks are thick, layered, like he's trying to capture the density of the village. But then, in other areas, the lines are sparse and light, creating a sense of openness. See that cluster of buildings on the right side? The lines are so dense they almost create a solid mass, while the areas around it feel airy and transparent. It reminds me of Cezanne, who also used mark-making to build up his compositions, creating a sense of depth and volume. Ultimately, Sarian reminds us that art is an ongoing conversation, a playful exploration of ideas that transcends time and place.