Bull XXII 2017

Russ Warren made "Bull XXII" sometime around 2017, and it looks like he built it up with layers of oil stick or crayon. I love how immediate and raw that process is. Look at how Warren scratches the black pigment to reveal glimpses of the vibrant blue underneath. The texture gives the piece a kind of emotional depth; it's not just a flat image, but a record of its making, which also kind of reminds me of Cy Twombly. The neon green outline of the bull itself really pops against the dark blue and black and lends the piece a naive or playful energy. In its entirety, the composition feels both carefully considered and accidental, but there is no doubt that Warren knew exactly the feeling he wanted to evoke. It’s this combo of freedom and control, this back-and-forth, that keeps the work alive and kicking. Art isn’t about answers, it’s about the ongoing conversation.