深红色的樱花树 2016

This is 王新福's, 深红色的樱花树, or 'Crimson Cherry Tree', made with what looks like oil paint, and maybe a palette knife. 王新福 is really going for it with the paint, building up a thick impasto surface. You can almost feel the energy of the artist in each stroke, each dab of color. The paint is so thick that it casts shadows, giving the painting a sculptural quality. It's like the tree is bursting forth from the canvas, full of life and vibrancy. I keep coming back to the way the light plays across the surface of the painting. In the lower right corner, you can see how the light catches the edges of the paint strokes, creating a sense of depth and movement. It reminds me of Van Gogh's later paintings. Both artists shared a love of color and a willingness to experiment with texture and form. It’s this kind of approach that reminds us that art is an ongoing conversation and exchange of ideas across time.