Abstract 2 1982

Robert Goodnough made this untitled abstract painting with an approach to colour and mark making that feels improvisational and joyful. The painting is covered in small gestural marks, lines of red, white, blue and black paint, like a confetti explosion frozen in time. The colours, while varied, have a similar muted tone, which creates a sense of unity and balance. The texture is smooth with some areas of thicker paint, like the artist quickly laid down each brushstroke. Look at how some marks seem to drip down, creating a sense of movement and fluidity. It is as if the painting is still in the process of becoming, capturing a moment of transition and change. The all-over composition makes me think of Joan Mitchell, with the way she covered the canvas in layers of abstract forms and colors. But unlike Mitchell, Goodnough gives each little mark its own space to breath, creating a feeling of lightness and freedom. Ultimately, the painting is a reminder that art is not about perfection or control, but about embracing the unexpected and finding beauty in the process.