Plenty 1961

Bernard Childs made this etching called ‘Plenty’ in the mid-20th century. It’s mostly warm reds, with a grey curve set against a pale greenish-blue sky. I just love imagining Childs making this print. You know, he’s got his plate, and he’s etching into it, probably using acid. There's something really luscious about the texture he's created, a sort of crumbly feel. The reds are so warm, like rust or dried blood, and they're broken up by the cool grey arc above. It reminds me of a sunset, or maybe a landscape after a fire. The way the colors bleed and blend makes me think of Helen Frankenthaler's soak-stain paintings. It’s interesting how artists are always building on each other's ideas. I like the feeling that Childs is in conversation with other artists, even across time. To me, painting, or printmaking, isn't about answers, but about posing interesting questions and embracing the unexpected.