Colors of Summer 2014

Bernadette Resha painted this ‘Colors of Summer’ using watercolor. I’m drawn to the way the piece seems to embrace the idea of artmaking as a process of change. You can almost feel the wetness of the paint as Resha layered the colors. The pigment is laid down in semi-transparent washes, creating a watercolor stain effect. Notice the granular texture of the blue background on the right, and how it contrasts with the smooth, flat application of yellow on the petals. See how she uses tiny dabs of paint to create the texture of the sunflower’s center. It's like she’s inviting us to slow down and appreciate the tactile qualities of the medium. This painting reminds me of Georgia O’Keefe’s flower paintings. But where O’Keefe’s flowers are sensual, Resha’s sunflower feels more approachable and joyful. It’s a great reminder that art is always in conversation with itself.