Skyhawk, No.I 1965

Benton Spruance made this lithograph titled 'Skyhawk, No.I' sometime in the mid-20th century, using just black ink and a stone. You can see the way he embraced the process, making bold, sweeping marks that hint at the bird’s power. There’s a real physicality to this print. The texture of the stone seems to come through, adding a kind of grit to the image. The ink, though monochrome, has so much depth. Look at how Spruance uses the light to define the skyhawk’s form; those broad strokes create a real sense of volume. Check out the head of the bird. It's as though the skyhawk is taking flight right before our eyes. This piece reminds me of Franz Kline's abstract expressionist works, both artists harness the power of bold, black strokes to create dynamic compositions. It’s all about movement and energy, and how that translates to emotion. Art is just this ongoing conversation, right?