Heron 1977

Alex Colville’s ‘Heron’ seems to come from a place of stillness and observation. Can’t you imagine him watching that bird, maybe for hours, waiting to capture the moment? There’s something really calm about the way Colville has rendered the heron and its reflection. The colour palette is very muted – ochres and greys – and the brushstrokes are smooth, almost invisible. The paint’s not trying to do too much; it's not thick or gloopy. It's like he’s gently coaxing the image into being. It makes me think about other artists who spend time in nature, like Winslow Homer or maybe even some of the Hudson River School painters. They share an interest in observing nature and capturing the stillness of a particular moment in time. Colville creates a scene of tranquility, inviting us to pause and watch the world around us. These artists show us how the act of looking can be a form of meditation.