The artist Mariam Aslamazian 1956

Babken Kolozyan painted “The Artist Mariam Aslamazian” with oils, capturing a scene bathed in shifting light and shadow. Look at the brushstrokes in the foreground, how they suggest the uneven ground and the dappled sunlight. I imagine Kolozyan, brush in hand, kneeling to capture Mariam at work, the sounds of the garden filtering through the air. The red coat she’s wearing – is that to keep the sun off? Or just her favourite? I love how the umbrella becomes a kind of portal, framing the act of painting itself. There is a feeling of intimacy here. You almost want to sit next to her and pick up a brush yourself. Painters are always looking at other painters, aren’t they? Taking notes, paying homage, answering back. This piece reminds me of the plein air painters like Berthe Morisot, who were so good at capturing fleeting moments. Painting is like having a conversation across time. It's a way to see the world through someone else's eyes, and to keep the dialogue going.