Flask c. 1941

Chris Makrenos made this translucent watercolor of a 'Flask,' and it gives me such a chill. It's like I can feel the artist tracing the outline, carefully building up the form with layers of watery paint. I can just imagine Makrenos squinting, trying to capture the way light travels through the glass, the subtle shifts in color and tone. It must have been a real dance of control and surrender! Like, how do you make something so solid and present feel so ephemeral? The ghostly eagle is a nice touch, too. So many painters have taken everyday objects and turned them into something poetic. Think of Giorgio Morandi and his bottles. Maybe Chris was thinking of him too. We painters, we're always in conversation, across time and space, remixing each other’s vibes. That’s painting for you: a constant exchange of ideas, a beautiful, messy, ongoing dialogue.