Portrait Of My Wife 1942

Tom Lovell’s painting, 'Portrait of My Wife,' shows a kind of effortless cool. You can see it in the sweeping brushstrokes that define her hair, and the way the colors blend, soft and hazy. The painting feels direct and intimate, doesn't it? It's all about the surface, the physicality of the paint. Look at the emerald green bow. See how it punctuates the picture plane? Its placement is so deliberate and full of purpose. Then, your eye is drawn to the dark swathe behind her head. It feels like a shadow, but it’s also a compositional element, anchoring the portrait and adding depth. Lovell’s painting reminds me a bit of Alex Katz, both artists share a knack for capturing the essence of a person with a minimalist approach. It’s that thing, isn’t it, when art is less about perfection and more about feeling.