Glow 1957

Martiros Sarian made *Glow* with oil on canvas, and what strikes me is the way the colors aren't trying to be 'realistic,' they're more about feeling. I can imagine Sarian outside, squinting, really looking, and then making marks that try to capture not just what's there, but how it feels to be there. The brushwork is pretty straightforward, with the paint not too thick, not too thin, just right for capturing the light dancing across the landscape. There's this patch of red-orange at the top that just sings, like a little burst of energy. It reminds me of how Matisse would use color to create a mood, a feeling of warmth and vibrancy. Looking at this, I feel like I'm part of a conversation that's been going on for centuries, painters responding to painters, each trying to figure out how to capture the world in their own way. It's about embracing the unknown and letting the painting lead you.