Still Life 1957

Craig Kauffman’s painting, Still Life, is made with brushstrokes that feel both quick and deliberate. It's the kind of painting where you sense the artist is thinking with the brush. Looking closely, you can see how Kauffman builds up the surface. The paint isn't too thick, but it's not shy either. The colors – creamy whites, yellows, and a grounding black – create a playful tension. Take the yellow patch in the lower half. It's not just a block of color, it has so much energy! It interacts with the black lines that crisscross the canvas, making the whole thing feel like a balancing act. This piece reminds me a bit of Cy Twombly, that same willingness to let the hand lead the eye. Both artists share a love of ambiguity. It's not about what it is, but about how it makes you feel.