Study for "Great America" c. 1994

Kerry James Marshall made this Study for “Great America” as a preliminary sketch, with pen on graph paper. It's like seeing the bare bones of an idea, isn't it? The process is right there on the surface. Look at the way he maps out the composition with these quick, almost nervous lines. The grid underneath peeks through, grounding the looseness of the drawing in something structured. I'm drawn to the bottom section where the artist has worked out the reflections in the water. It's so minimal, just a few strokes, but it captures the distortion and movement of light. It reminds me a little of Guston’s graphic style. Both artists distill complex ideas down to their essential forms, inviting us to fill in the gaps with our own experiences and interpretations. Art is an ongoing conversation and exchange of ideas across time.