Deer Dancer 1989

Carlos Almaraz made this painting, Deer Dancer, with oil paint, and it's a wild ride of color and form. The painting feels like it's caught in motion; look at how Almaraz uses juicy, thick strokes. The paint is practically sculptural, isn't it? You can almost feel the energy of his hand moving across the canvas, which is key to understanding Almaraz's process. The wild brush strokes and vibrant palette create a sense of dreamlike chaos, but somehow everything still works together. Check out the Deer Dancer's outstretched leg. See how the line becomes a blur of green and blue? That's where Almaraz's energy really pops. Almaraz reminds me a bit of Philip Guston, another artist who wasn't afraid to let loose with his brush and embrace the messiness of life, and art! It’s this refusal to pin down a single meaning that makes Almaraz's work so compelling.