Head of Girl, Feather in Turban c. 1912

William James Glackens made this painting, "Head of Girl, Feather in Turban", with oil paints, and, honestly, it looks like he was having a really good time doing it. The marks are so free and expressive; it's like watching someone dance with a brush. Up close, the painting is a riot of color. The girl's face is built up with these tiny strokes of pink, blue, and yellow. It's amazing how Glackens captures the form with such broken color. Look at the feathered turban, a dark swirling mass, but with these little flecks of brighter hues peeking through, giving it depth and texture. It’s a little like that dark energy you get in a Bonnard, but with a rougher touch. It all feels very intuitive, a kind of direct response to the subject in front of him. I see a kinship with someone like Manet, this interest in capturing modern life, but with a distinctly American sensibility. I love how Glackens embraces the messiness and uncertainty of paint, letting the process itself become part of the meaning. It's a reminder that art is not about perfection, but about exploration.