Horse IV 2013

James Jean’s ‘Horse IV’ feels like a fever dream rendered in delicate washes of color. The surface is a battlefield of process, where thin layers build up to create a luminous yet unsettling image. Look at the ghostly horse, its form emerging from a sea of floral patterns, rendered in a muted palette. The lines are soft, almost hesitant, as if Jean is feeling his way through the composition. The smattering of white paint, like a quick after thought, over the horse’s body, makes me think about the tension between control and chance. The way Jean blends realism with fantasy reminds me of Odilon Redon, another artist who wasn’t afraid to embrace the strange and subjective. Ultimately, ‘Horse IV’ is a reminder that art is a process of discovery, a conversation between the artist and the canvas. There’s no right or wrong answer, just a willingness to explore the unknown.