Face-to-Face 

Curator: Alright, let's talk about Scott Gustafson's "Face-to-Face." The painting feels very much in the tradition of narrative art and portraiture. Editor: Immediately, what strikes me is the sheer immensity of the older figure compared to the child. The scale is… well, intimidating. And the palette! These cool blues and whites, broken only by the child's red cloak, it sets a very… frosty tone, almost alien. Curator: It’s got this enchanting fantasy vibe, right? You can almost hear the whispers of an epic tale being spun. But think about what this face-to-face might represent. The kid looks ready to embark on their Hero's Journey with their starry wooden staff and cute little red riding hood vibe and is stared down by a huge, angry wizard. This piece isn't just about wizards and kids but could speak about our need to look power and danger in the face at such a vulnerable moment. Editor: The composition too feels very intentional. The swirling blues that dominate the background are wild, dynamic! It is quite something. And the huge imposing face is given dimension, thanks to what is essentially negative space; but with a few painterly touches here and there to convey form. We're looking at someone confronting… maybe not just age, but some kind of formidable elemental power. You're right: that heroic moment before a transformation. The kid has got to grow, that is obvious, by just confronting the hugeness and maleness staring him down! Curator: Absolutely! And you mentioned the blues, it also gives this very wintry, frozen, time-stopped-feeling, as though our hero is really meeting someone from another place in time. This is about the bravery required in confronting those we look up to—our elders, those in positions of power. Even when the odds feel unfairly stacked against us, especially because our hero is just a child, but has all the tools necessary for the task! Editor: Mmm, I agree. The intimacy in facing our fear in life, that comes to mind so clearly when I think about what this artwork represents to me. Beautifully put. Curator: So true! Makes me see it in a whole new way. Editor: Thank you for that thought.