Crab apples in bloom 

Joshua LaRock has created a painting of crab apple trees in bloom, using oil on canvas. The material qualities of oil paint lend themselves well to this subject; LaRock uses its capacity for blending to evoke the soft, diffuse light of a spring day. Notice the textures he builds up in the blossoms, layer upon layer, creating depth and volume on a flat surface. This is a labor-intensive process, requiring patience and precision. The artist isn't merely representing a scene, he is using the materiality of paint to capture a sensory experience. It is also interesting to think of oil paint itself as a product, refined through complex industrial processes. The pigments are often derived from minerals, further connecting the painting to the earth. By focusing on the artist's labor and the inherent qualities of the materials, we can see how this painting transcends simple representation, becoming an object with its own unique history and presence. It reminds us that art is always rooted in material reality, not just an idea.