Apple Blossoms II 1974

Fairfield Porter made this painting, Apple Blossoms II, with what looks like broad brushstrokes and a sweet, simple palette. It's almost like he's letting us in on a secret: that painting is as much about the doing as it is about the seeing. The way the colours sit next to each other—those soft pinks against the greens and blues—it's like they're having a little conversation. And the texture! You can almost feel the layers of paint building up, giving the whole thing a real sense of depth. I’m drawn to the way Porter handles the light, especially on those blossoms. He captures this luminous quality which animates the scene. Porter reminds me a little bit of Alex Katz, another painter who knew how to make the ordinary look extraordinary. And like Katz, Porter shows us that art isn't about having all the answers, but about embracing the questions. It’s an invitation to pause and appreciate the beauty in the everyday.