Running White 1959

Ellsworth Kelly made this painting, Running White, with what looks like enamel on canvas. The painting’s got this big, bold white curve that feels like it's bursting out of the dark background. I can almost feel Kelly's hand moving across the canvas, carefully applying the paint to get that super clean edge. You know, making a painting like this is kind of like walking a tightrope. One wrong move and the whole thing could fall apart. It's probably a matter of trying to make the simplest thing, which is often the most complicated thing. I'm always impressed by how Kelly makes his hard-edged paintings vibrate with energy. The white shape feels like it's pushing against the edges of the black, creating this dynamic tension. I see connections between Kelly's explorations and what other painters were doing, like Barnett Newman's zips or even some of Matisse's cut-outs. Artists are always borrowing, stealing, and riffing off each other. It's all part of the conversation that keeps art alive. And in this case, it's a super cool conversation, right?