The Stroll 1982

Ernie Barnes made this painting, depicting a scene at a stable, with what looks like oil on canvas and a lot of feeling. The earthy palette is almost monochrome, but then, pops of color like the jockey's suit or the green horse blanket draw your eye in, making you notice the energy. The paint application isn’t super thick, but you can still see Barnes' process, the way he built up the figures with layers of brushstrokes. Look at the way he’s elongated the figures, creating a sense of movement and rhythm. There's a lightness of touch here, a feeling that the artist is just letting the paint do its thing. In the foreground, notice the figure throwing what seems to be some feed to a horse, almost dancing. It's like he's capturing a moment in time, but also, a feeling, an experience, an emotion. It reminds me a little of Jacob Lawrence’s paintings in the way he elevates everyday life, portraying the vibrancy of Black culture. What do you think?