Spring Is 1963

Howard Mehring made “Spring Is,” with paint, probably in his studio. Just look at those greens and yellows, so zingy they practically vibrate. I love how the painting balances control and chance, everything seems so considered, but also spontaneous. Up close, you can see how the colors are built up from tiny marks. It's almost like he's stippling or scumbling the paint. The texture isn't smooth; it's got this great, granular quality, like a rough surface. The dark blue area around the edge feels almost like a frame within a frame. That central green vertical bar is key, right? It anchors the whole composition and gives your eye a place to rest amidst all that buzzing color. It reminds me a little bit of Agnes Martin, but with a party dress on. The surface isn’t precious; it’s all about the doing, the decisions made, and the joy of putting color to work.