Untitled (Spirit Hole) 1991

Suzan Frecon made this artwork, an untitled watercolor on paper, using an approach that is quiet yet assertive. The red ochre paint, applied in broad strokes, forms a kind of frame, setting off the pale paper within. Frecon’s process is all about directness. She allows the watercolor to soak into the paper, letting the material itself speak. This is evident in the irregular edges, the uneven texture of the paint, and the subtle variations in color. Notice too the lone blue dot, a small accent mark. The result is not just an image, but an event. The act of painting becomes visible, almost tangible. By foregrounding the material qualities of her work, Frecon reminds us that art is not just about ideas or representation, but about the physical world and the way we interact with it. She invites us to see the beauty in simplicity, the power of the handmade, and the potential for meaning in the most humble of materials.