Self Portrait in Green 1990

Oleg Holosiy made this "Self Portrait in Green" with paint, sometime before 1993. It's amazing how a limited palette can be so expressive; the way he's layered greens and blues, it feels less like a portrait and more like a presence emerging from a dream. The paint handling is so direct. See how the strokes aren't blended, but kind of sit on top of each other, creating this slightly agitated surface? And that touch of yellow, right under the eye, like a spark of unexpected energy. It's these little moments that make the painting feel so alive. The texture almost vibrates, drawing you in, making you feel like you're not just looking at a face, but experiencing a mood. This painting reminds me a little of Francis Bacon. There's a similar interest in capturing the raw, unfiltered self, and a willingness to let the paint do its thing. Ultimately, it's a reminder that painting is as much about feeling as it is about seeing, and that a portrait can be a window into the soul.