Nude (Ink monotype) 2013

Alfred Freddy Krupa made this monotype, Nude, using ink, and I really dig how he's embraced the nature of his medium. It’s all about the process, the push and pull of ink on paper. The image is built from these bold, gestural strokes. Look closely, and you can almost feel the artist’s hand moving across the surface, leaving behind a trail of textured black marks. The ink sits thick in some places, almost velvety, and then thins out to these delicate, transparent washes. See that swirl of ink suggesting a shoulder? It’s like the whole figure is emerging from the darkness, captured in a fleeting moment. The way Krupa plays with light and shadow, suggesting form with just a few confident strokes, reminds me of some of the quick figure drawings made by Picasso, but there is also a rawness here that feels totally unique. It's an ongoing conversation, this thing we call art, and Krupa’s piece adds a fresh voice to the mix.