Julia Dean Portrait 2013

Felice House painted this portrait of Julia Dean in the 20th century, using oil on canvas. The painting has a direct and bold approach to mark making. It feels like the kind of painting that isn't fussed over, it's about the gesture. The way House handles the paint is so luscious. Look at how the light hits her face and hand, turning them into a landscape of color and texture. The paint is thick and juicy in places, but then thins out to reveal the canvas underneath. It's like she's sculpting with the paint, building up the form with each stroke. I am reminded of Joan Semmel, another painter who captures the complexities of female subjectivity. Like Semmel, House embraces the ambiguity and multiple interpretations of art, inviting us to question our own perspectives and assumptions.