Tangerine Sky 2019

Curator: I’m immediately drawn to the mood in this painting – that burnished golden light makes me feel nostalgic, like looking at a faded memory. What’s capturing your eye? Editor: Well, let's orient ourselves. What we have here is "Tangerine Sky", an oil painting from 2019 by Rose Freymuth-Frazier. You mentioned the light, and that's exactly what caught the artist's attention while working en plein air – outdoors and on site. The sky dominates, its colors echoed in the water below. The influence of romanticism is undeniable. Curator: "Romanticism", it does feel a bit old soul doesn't it? Those fiery hues almost seem to melt together in places, creating this gorgeous soft effect. Tell me, what does this style signify? Editor: This piece employs a blend of contemporary and romantic styles that invites us to explore beyond simple representation. Romanticism saw art as an expression of emotion, experience, and yes, individual subjectivity. Think of artists who found inspiration and solace in nature to access spiritual or emotional states. It seems Rose found a direct link to her feelings out in the landscape itself. Curator: I can see that; there's something really immediate and emotionally resonant in her use of impasto – those thick brushstrokes give the work a wonderful tangible presence. It feels as if I could touch the very moment of creation! Editor: That impasto adds to the feeling of dynamism and immediacy, perfectly capturing the fleeting essence of a sunset. It is, after all, quite difficult to express light or time with static medium like paint, though her brush certainly gives chase. Curator: Do you think plein air and this direct expression connects with art of the past? Editor: Landscape painting has long played a crucial role in shaping national identity and reflecting society’s relationship with nature. It has carried symbolic weight over time. And although that's not what is communicated by this painting at first sight, considering the past shows that landscapes reflect and create cultural values, encouraging us to consider the world around us, to contemplate the present and what will be lost. Curator: Absolutely, and like any evocative landscape, “Tangerine Sky” encourages reflection on our part—what does it mean to witness, and capture a moment in time? Editor: Beautifully put! The blend of light, water, and atmosphere isn't just a visual spectacle. There's also something here to discover.