Saint Woman 2015

Amy Sherald painted 'Saint Woman' with oil on canvas, and the whole thing hums with a quiet power. I can just imagine her in the studio, maybe listening to some music, building up these layers and seeing what emerges. That yellow background is so warm, almost like she's standing in sunlight. And the blue of the dress? It's like a cool drink on a hot day. The way she's got her arms crossed feels so self-assured. The skin tone is interesting; it's almost like the painting is saying something about visibility and presence. It makes me think about how artists like Lynette Yiadom-Boakye play with color and form to create these really compelling portraits. There's a conversation happening between painters across time, this sharing of ideas and ways of seeing. It's like they're all in this ongoing studio visit, inspiring each other.